HANGRY - nearly all of us have been in this state at some point in our lives. "Hangry" is the state of being hungry and irritable. It happens when we've dipped too low on the so-called sugar roller coaster. For most people, it's known as the 3:00 PM slump. It's that time of day when we crave caffeine and sugar to keep us going until bedtime.
A recent study found that sugar worsens our moods. Not only that, it also makes us less alert and more tired after consumption. The researchers from the University of Warwick in Coventry, UK wanted to see if people who consumed sugar got a sugar rush or a boost of alertness after consumption. They were also testing to see if sugar consumption put their study participants in a better mood.
The study followed roughly 1,300 participants and found that sugar consumption did not improve mood. The majority of participants actually reported feeling more crabby and tired after they consumed sugar, regardless of what their post-sugar consumption activities were. Therefore, the researchers concluded that the idea of a 'sugar rush' is a myth.
After the study, the researchers noted that their data could be used to help inform public health policies to decrease sugar consumption. They want to get rid of the idea that sugar consumption can make us happier. They claim this is a "pop culture myth" because their study proved that sugar consumption makes people feel worse - they end up more crabby and tired and less alert.
The recent rise in obesity and metabolic diseases warrants the need for evidence-based dietary strategies. People need to be taught that sugary drinks and snacks will not provide them with quick fuel to help them feel more alert. So if you're feeling particularly hangry, you'd be better off reaching for a snack that contains more protein and fat instead of a bunch of sugar.