In some moments of life it can happen that the levels of stress are particularly high. In such circumstances, body and mind undergo real transformations to respond to external stimuli. However, these responses trigger mechanisms which, in the long term, can prove to be deleterious to the body. Let’s imagine, for example, those cases in which strong stress leads straight to the fridge to bite into a comforting dessert or a tasty snack. This behavior is not attributable to chance, but it makes sense and is linked to the production of the so-called “stress hormone”, cortisol. To reduce the consumption of sugars it is important to keep this hormone under control and let’s see how.
What it is and what functions cortisol does in the body
Cortisol is a hormone that adrenal cells produce in response to a signal that sends the pituitary hormone ACTH. The organism, if subjected to a situation of strong psycho-physical stress, tends to produce high quantities of cortisol. This hormone aims to inhibit certain bodily functions that are not essential to allow the fight-flight reaction typical of dangerous situations. Although today the cause of stress does not lie in the real danger to life, as happened to our ancestors, this mechanism is the result of evolution. Numerous scientific studies show that currently high levels of stress affect eating habits causing damage in diet and food choice.
To reduce the consumption of sugars it is important to keep this hormone under control
High levels of cortisol push to take sugary substances so that the body immediately has the energy available for a lightning-fast response. If this made sense in situations typical of primitive men, it is not today. High levels of cortisol induce an increase in blood sugar which promotes insulin resistance, prodrome of diabetes, as well as inflammation of the tissues and mood disorders.
An excess of cortisol could therefore lead to an increase in visceral fat and difficulty in losing weight and water retention. For this reason, it is important to keep the stress hormone in check. How? Adopting a balanced lifestyle and diet, ensuring restful sleep and doing some physical activity could be good starting points. Even a simple walk can help relax the nerves and stimulate the release of endorphins.
We illustrated this in the article “Walking every day produces a further and extraordinary effect expected according to science”. Sleep also deserves proper care. In the article “Incredible how the brain can eliminate toxic substances if this action is carried out properly” we illustrated a very interesting scientific study.
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