The function of cortisol is to lower our metabolic rate, prevent fat burning and help convert food to fat. The body has learnt this response as a means of fighting drought, famine, floods, etc. It also led to the evolution and survival of the human species from the caveman or cavewoman mode to what we are today. The body can’t fathom why we get stressed over petty things like deadlines, break ups, home loans, debts, what to wear, etc, but decides nevertheless that if we are stressed it’s a risk to our survival—and goes all out to protect itself. The means of protection is making us fatter.
