Numerous studies - granted, many of them in animals - have shown that physical or emotional distress increases the intake of food high in fat, sugar, or both.

Stress also seems to affect food preferences. Once a stressful episode is over, cortisol levels should fall, but if the stress doesn't go away - or if a person's stress response gets stuck in the 'on' position - cortisol may stay elevated. The adrenal glands release another hormone called cortisol, and cortisol increases appetite and may also ramp up motivation in general, including the motivation to eat. Epinephrine helps trigger the body's fight-or-flight response, a revved-up physiological state that temporarily puts eating on hold.īut if stress persists, it's a different story. In the short term, stress can shut down appetite. The nervous system sends messages to the adrenal glands atop the kidneys to pump out the hormone epinephrine (also known as adrenaline). Researchers have linked weight gain to stress, and according to an American Psychological Association survey, about one-fourth of Americans rate their stress level as 8 or more on a 10-point scale. There is much truth behind the phrase 'stress eating.' Stress, the hormones it unleashes, and the effects of high-fat, sugary 'comfort foods' push people toward overeating. Stress eating can ruin your weight loss goals – the key is to find ways to relieve stress without overeating

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