Blood Sugar: Hunger Really Does Put You in a Bad Mood
A new study has explored why hunger and blood sugar changes affect mood. Researchers from Bonn and Tübingen tracked 90 healthy adults over four weeks. Their findings challenge the idea that biochemical shifts alone cause irritability or low spirits when glucose levels drop.
The team fitted participants with continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to track blood sugar in real time. At the same time, volunteers used a smartphone app to report their hunger, fullness, and emotional state. The data revealed a clear pattern: lower glucose levels corresponded to a worse perceived metabolic state, which then predicted a decline in mood.
However, the link between blood sugar and emotions was not direct. Instead, it depended entirely on how individuals consciously perceived their own physical condition. Factors like body mass index or insulin resistance had no influence on the results. Interestingly, those who were more aware of their body’s signals—such as subtle changes in energy or hunger—experienced fewer mood swings. This suggests that paying attention to internal cues may help stabilise emotions, even when glucose levels fluctuate.
The research highlights the role of self-perception in emotional responses to hunger. Rather than biochemical processes alone, mood shifts appear to stem from how people interpret their body’s state. The findings point to interoception—the ability to sense internal changes—as a key factor in managing emotional reactions to blood sugar fluctuations.
