What role does cortisol play in the body's response to stress?

Cortisol is a key hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress and is part of the body's stress response system. One of its primary functions is to stimulate the metabolism of glucose, which is crucial during periods of stress. When the body perceives a stressor, cortisol helps to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of glucose available for immediate use by cells, particularly in critical tissues like the brain and muscles.

This is important because during stressful situations, the body requires more energy to either fight or flee from perceived threats—a phenomenon often referred to as the "fight or flight" response. Cortisol promotes gluconeogenesis, the process by which glucose is synthesized from non-carbohydrate sources, and mobilizes energy stores from fat cells and muscle tissues.

While cortisol does have other physiological effects, such as immune suppression, it does not directly enhance the immune response (the first choice) and is not associated with inducing sleepiness (the third choice) or directly increasing waist circumference (the fourth choice). However, chronic elevated cortisol levels can lead to metabolic changes and weight gain over time, including increased abdominal fat, but this is a more complex association.

Thus, the role of cortisol in stimulating glucose metabolism during stress is critical for providing the