In 1765, widespread protests over bread shortages sparked riots in Paris, foreshadowing the French Revolution. Centuries later, researchers uncovered a hidden thread in many such upheavals: hunger. While revolutions are complex situations, studies now suggest that empty stomachs were a primary driver in many such events. And the state of our stomachs also shape our everyday choices, from workplace conflicts to unhealthy shopping habits.
The term ‘hangry’, a merging of the words ‘hungry’ and ‘angry’, may sound frivolous, but its implications are profound. Neuroscientists argue that hunger does not merely nudge behaviour – it hijacks it. Today’s column explores how an ancient biological drive surreptitiously dictates modern life, challenging our notions of free will, morality, and even love.
