Myths vs facts: Glukose and Stress

The claim that stress raises blood glucose is a fact – mediated by cortisol, which stimulates hepatic gluconeogenesis and reduces insulin sensitivity. This is evolutionarily adaptive (fight-or-flight), but chronic stress can lead to persistently elevated glucose, promoting insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. A common myth is that you must completely avoid sugar when stressed; in reality, overall dietary pattern matters more. Another myth: 'Stress directly causes diabetes' – this is an oversimplification; stress is one risk factor among genetics, diet, and exercise. Individual genetic variants (e.g., COMT Val158Met, BDNF Val66Met) modestly influence stress response, but their effect on glucose metabolism is small and not actionable for dietary changes. No DNA test can reliably predict your glucose response to stress – lifestyle factors dominate. Caveat: acute stress can transiently raise glucose in healthy individuals; that is normal. If fasting glucose is repeatedly elevated, consult a physician to rule out impaired glucose tolerance.