Table of Contents
- 1 The body demands glucose
- 2 Cortisol, puppeteer of emotions
- 3 Behavior shaped by evolution
- 4 A great way to manage hunger and maintain stable mood levels throughout the day. Eating small, balanced meals ensures that glucose levels remain steady, helping to mitigate irritability and improve overall emotional well-being. What are some effective strategies for managing hunger-related emotions that you recommend, John?
If you have seen the animated film Vice Versa 2you may have identified with the protagonist who suffers from anxiety issues and their consequences. But there are many other situations in which our negative emotions are expressed in an exaggerated way and lead us, as we say colloquially, to “put our feet in the problem”.
Who has never, for example, uttered impudent words because it was lunchtime and they had not yet eaten due to a work meeting that went on for a long time? Let’s find out why the body plays these tricks on us.
The body demands glucose
When we are hungry, emotions such as fatigue, confusion, or anger manifest themselves. This phenomenon is due to the presence of sucreand more precisely glucosein the blood. As soon as its rate drops, our body triggers a series of answers to restore it.
But what role exactly does glucose play and why is it so important? This type of sugar is the main source of energy for the cells that make up all our organs. The brain, for example, depends almost exclusively on sugar intake. Without him, the 100 billion nerve cells that make it up could not perform their work optimally.
If the brain doesn’t get enough glucose, we feel weak, irritable, dizzy, and have trouble concentrating. In extreme cases (especially situations severe hypoglycemia in diabeticsEditor’s note), when sugar intake is insufficient for very long periods, we can fall into a coma.
Cortisol, puppeteer of emotions
These are some of the symptoms that signal to us that we need to eat to restore blood sugar levels. This serves as a highway for different nutrients to reach their destination: the cells scattered throughout our body. In this situation, a cascade of physiological reactions occurs.
At the molecular level, different hormones are released. One of them, the ghrelinis produced and passes into the circulation via stomach cells. This natural substance stimulates the appetite and ensures that the body receives energy through the ingestion of food.
While ignoring the circumstances that explain why we are not eating, in parallel and indirectly, ghrelin stimulates the production of the hormone associated with stress. cortisol which is generated by the adrenal glands.
To increase sugar levels, cortisol promotes a process called gluconeogenesis. This is based on the production of glucose from the breakdown of fatty acids and proteins stored in the liver. This process quickly provides energy to the body.
The presence of cortisol in the blood during states characterized by hunger affects brain functionacting as a sort of puppeteer. It changes the levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, which are linked to positive emotions and the perception of stress. Consequence of these combined effects: when we are hungry, we feel more irritable or angry than usual.
Humans are not the only ones to react this way. In a behavioral study on zebrafishresearchers found that these animals also become aggressive when hungry.
Behavior shaped by evolution
As we’ve seen, our moods are the result of many biochemical interactions, and there’s a hormone at the center of this dance that we haven’t talked about yet. It has probably been mentioned at one point or another in your life, especially in reference to extreme sports. You guessed it, it’s adrenaline.
Like cortisol, adrenaline is produced by the adrenal glands and is associated with stressful situations. She is known for its role in the “fight or flight” response which is a physiological reaction to a threat. In hungry situations, adrenaline and cortisol both affect our mood, making us more angry or irritable.
We think that there is a explanation linked to the evolution of the species : Back when humans were hunter-gatherers, to survive food shortages – and therefore to compete with competitors for these resources – one would have benefited from being aggressive.
Today, although we no longer compete for food in the same way, knowing how the body responds to hunger can help us manage our emotions. If you notice that you are starting to feel angry or irritable, remember that these may be the effects of fasting.
Packing a healthy snack will not only keep you energized, but also keep your mood more balanced. What if you prepared something light to eat before hunger hits you?
Guest 1: Good afternoon! My name is Dr. Jane Smith, a nutritionist, and it’s my pleasure to be here today to discuss the relationship between hunger and negative emotions. As we know, hunger is a physiological signal that tells our body to replenish its energy stores by consuming food. It’s fascinating to me how biochemical interactions can influence our mood and behavior.
Guest 2: Hi, I’m John Doe, a psychologist, and I agree. The hormonal responses to hunger are quite complex. When we experience hunger, our brain releases certain hormones that can alter our mood, which can sometimes lead to feelings of irritability or anger.
Dr. Jane: Exactly! Let’s start with the role of glucose in our body. As mentioned in the article, glucose is the primary source of energy for our cells, including the brain. When glucose levels drop, we can experience symptoms such as fatigue, confusion, or anger. This has to do with the brain’s dependence on glucose for optimal functioning. What are your thoughts on this, John?
John: Well, it’s interesting because these feelings of anger might be a survival mechanism. In ancient times, humans needed energy to hunt for food or defend themselves against threats. In such situations, anger could have been an advantageous emotion to help us take action.
Dr. Jane: That’s true. Additionally, cortisol and adrenaline also play a role in our emotions when we’re hungry. Cortisol stimulates gluconeogenesis, which produces glucose from proteins and fats in the liver. Adrenaline, on the other hand, is associated with the fight or flight response. Both of these hormones can contribute to feelings of irritability or anger when we’re hungry.
John: Absolutely. The release of these hormones also affects neurotransmitter levels, like dopamine and serotonin, which regulate mood. So, when we’re hungry, these levels fluctuate, potentially leading to negative emotions. But how can we manage these feelings?
Dr. Jane: Packing healthy snacks can be
