Arabic version: خبراء: يُلام الكورتيزول ظلماً في كثير من الأحيان

According to ABC News, cortisol is often wrongly blamed for health concerns including stress, fatigue and weight gain, despite being an essential hormone with several functions in the body. Theresa Larkin of the University of Wollongong said cortisol helps support daily rhythms, eating and digestion, as well as helping ensure people have enough glucose to remain mentally and physically alert.

Endocrinologist Ann McCormack said cortisol also contributes to blood-pressure regulation, immune-system regulation, and cognitive and emotional processing. Experts said it is normal for cortisol levels to rise and fall through the day, including during situations such as rushing for a bus or preparing for a difficult conversation. McCormack said healthy people do not need to fear cortisol spikes.

While chronic stress can be linked to health problems, Larkin said cortisol itself is not the underlying problem. She said the causes of stress need to be addressed instead. McCormack cautioned against social-media advice focused on preventing cortisol spikes, including claims about coffee on an empty stomach or particular forms of exercise.

Sustained high cortisol can occur in rare medical conditions including Cushing’s syndrome, where tumour growth causes the body to make high levels of the hormone. McCormack said sustained elevations can be associated with osteoporosis, blood-pressure problems, hypertension, diabetes and weight gain. For most people without such conditions, she said evidence linking higher cortisol to health problems is not very strong.

Cortisol is not routinely measured because testing can require urine, saliva or blood samples, McCormack said. She added that smart watches measuring “stress” do not measure cortisol. The experts recommended an overall healthy lifestyle, including better sleep, activity and alignment with natural daily rhythms, and advised people concerned about cortisol to consult a doctor.