Exogenous Carbohydrate Reduces Cortisol Response from Combined Mental and Physical Stress.

Abstract in brief

• The study investigated whether consuming carbohydrates before combined mental and physical stress can reduce cortisol levels, which are linked to increased cardiovascular risk.
• Results showed that participants who ingested carbohydrates had significantly lower overall cortisol responses compared to those who did not, indicating a potential stress-mitigating effect.
• This research suggests that eating carbs right before stressful activities may help lessen stress hormone production, especially in high-stress professions like firefighting or military work.]