High Blood Sugar Levels

Have you ever heard of having Hangry issues?  Hangry is a slang term meaning Hungry+Angry.  And according to a recent study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), being Hangry might very well be what’s putting your relationships in jeopardy.  The study followed over 100 married couples and documented their actions, behaviors, and interactions.  According to the findings of the study, the lower a person’s blood sugar, the more stressful the interactions were with the person’s partner, regardless of gender.  Low blood sugar levels tend to kick up adrenaline production and increase heart rate, which can cause a flood of stress hormones to be released into our system. As a result, we start to have headaches, anxiety, and maybe the shakes, which lead to hangry mood swings and aggression, which is never good for a relationship.  

Here are some possible solutions that may help:

• Eat something whole grain every 4 hours to help keep you satisfied and keep your blood sugar level
• Avoid high sugar treats, which send blood sugar levels through the roof, then crash later on
• Eat something with at least 5 grams of fiber, maybe a handful of nuts
• Make an effort to smile while you are talking to loved ones, which can help to boost your mood

Being aware of how our blood sugar levels may be affecting our moods and our relationships is half the battle.  Now, you can consider yourself half-cured!  Now go eat something!