Why being hangry is bad for your relationship

Being hangry (angry + hungry) is a legitimate state for some people (myself included; just ask my husband!).

An Ohio State University study published in April in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found low levels of blood sugar can make married people angrier, and likelier to lash out at their spouses. The study, done over 21 days, measured blood glucose levels in couples each night. People with lower levels were more willing to annoy their spouses by blasting noises louder and for longer periods of time. ‘We found that being hangry can affect our behaviour in a bad way, even in our most intimate relationships,’ says Brad Bushman, lead study author. He says glucose provides our brains with energy so we’ll have the self-control to deal with anger and aggressive impulses. So: Keep snacks on hand!

This article was originally titled “Are you a “hangry” bird?” in the October 2014 issue of Best Health. Subscribe today to get the full Best Health experience and never miss an issue!