Everything you need to know about cortisol
Cortisol is a vital hormone that regulates stress responses, metabolism, and blood sugar, rather than being solely a 'stress hormone' to be feared. While chronic elevation can lead to health issues like sleep disruption and immune suppression, the body naturally fluctuates cortisol levels throughout the day.
Why it matters
This article corrects common health misconceptions propagated by social media, providing a scientific perspective on hormonal health.
Cortisol one of many hormones that help regulate how the body responds to stress Picture: iStock
It is known as the stress hormone and often blamed for causing a long list of side effects. Social media will tell you that cortisol imbalances are linked to visible signs of ageing, anxiety, bloating, weight gain, joint pain, and insomnia. But how much of this is true, and do we really need to worry about having too much cortisol?
In healthy people, cortisol levels spike and drop throughout the day. It is often wrongly blamed for causing stress. In reality, it is one of many hormones that help regulate how the body responds to stress, and it is not solely responsible for the many effects associated with chronic stress.
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