How does chronic stress affect blood glucose levels?

Chronic stress has been established to significantly impact blood glucose levels through the elevation of cortisol, a major stress hormone. When a person experiences prolonged stress, the body responds by releasing cortisol. This hormone plays a critical role in the body's fight-or-flight response, which includes increasing energy availability for immediate use.

Cortisol promotes gluconeogenesis, a metabolic pathway that generates glucose from non-carbohydrate substrates, primarily in the liver. This process leads to an increase in blood glucose levels, providing the body with readily available energy to respond to stressors. Additionally, cortisol can cause insulin resistance, making it more challenging for glucose to be taken up by cells. This further contributes to the elevation of blood glucose levels during periods of chronic stress.

In summary, the connection between chronic stress, elevated cortisol levels, and increased blood glucose is well-documented, explaining why the correct answer is that chronic stress increases cortisol levels, leading to elevated blood glucose.