Cortisol Belly: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms, and How to Reduce It
If you have been eating well and exercising consistently but your midsection still will not budge, cortisol belly could be the reason. Cortisol belly, also called stress belly, is the buildup of deep abdominal fat triggered by chronically elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol. It is one of the most misunderstood contributors to stubborn belly fat, and it does not respond the way regular weight gain does to standard diet and exercise routines. Cortisol itself is not the enemy. Your body needs it to regulate blood sugar, manage inflammation, and respond to short-term threats. The problem begins when stress becomes chronic and cortisol stays elevated day after day. Over time, that sustained elevation changes where and how your body stores fat, often routing it directly to the abdomen. Understanding exactly what is happening and why is the first step toward changing it. What Is Cortisol Belly? Cortisol belly is the accumulation of visceral fat in the abdominal region driven by pr...
