Research studies proved that stress not only increases your appetite, it also makes you crave calorie-laden and no-nutrient foods. Some people lose their appetite when facing a stressful situation. But about 40% of these begin eating excessively about 6 weeks after the onset of stress. This excessive eating causes weight gain.

Researchers also suggest that stress causes vwrious biochemical reactions in your body, which can cause weight gain. Here we explain you the biochemistry of stress and how it can cause weight gain.

What happens when you are stressed?

• When you get physical or emotional stress, hypothalamus in your brain sends a signal to the adrenal glands to release cortisol.
• Cortisol in turn releases glucose and fatty acids into your bloodstream to energize your muscles to respond to the stress.
• Too little cortisol release causes hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), and excess release of cortisol causes hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar), which could lead to diabetes.

Link between cortisol and obesity

• High levels of cortisol increase your appetite and food intake.
• It causes fat deposits in the abdominal area.
• With chronic stress, cortisol levels increase for long periods of time. It causes adrenal glands overwork and release less cortisol.
• The overworked adrenals cause hormonal imbalances, which in turn cause dysfunction of the heart and obesity.
• So, stress leads to chronically elevation of cortisol causing obesity.