stress causes over eating

Stress causes over eating

Stress eating is turning out to be a new problem in our fast growing world. In the initial stages of stress, it reduces the appetite due to production of corticotrophine releasing hormone from hypothalamus. The adrenal glands produces epinephrine to trigger fight or flight response which does not allow us to eat. But when stress persists, it turns the story in a different way. In this case, hormone called cortisol is produced which increases appetite. This response is turned in different way in men and women. In case of women it opens up over eating and in case of men its alcohol or smoking. This kind of eating is also called as ‘emotional eating’or ‘stress eating’. The foods that people tend to eat at this time are sugary and starchy foods. Such ‘comfort foods’ soothes our brain and make us feel better by releasing neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. From this relief, our body understands  that when we eat ‘comfort foods’ we get relief and people tend to eat more and more sugary foods that are high in calories, causing weight gain.