Which hormone helps the body cope with stress by increasing blood glucose?

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress. It plays a crucial role in the body's stress response by promoting gluconeogenesis, a process that increases the production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, primarily in the liver. This elevates blood glucose levels, providing the body with readily available energy to respond to stressful situations.

In addition to its role in glucose regulation, cortisol also helps to modulate various physiological processes during stress, such as inflammation and immune response. The increase in blood glucose levels ensures that vital organs and muscles have the necessary energy to function effectively during a stress response.

Other hormones, such as glucagon and epinephrine, also play roles in increasing blood glucose, but cortisol is primarily associated with long-term stress adaptation, whereas glucagon is more involved in responding to low blood glucose levels, and epinephrine is released during immediate stressors (fight or flight response). Insulin, on the other hand, works to lower blood glucose levels after meals, counteracting the effects of cortisol and the other hormones mentioned. Therefore, cortisol is the key hormone that helps the body manage stress by increasing blood glucose levels effectively.