The Claim
In postmenopausal women with overweight or obesity, dietary cholesterol intake is associated with higher basal cortisol levels, independent of total fat or energy intake, with a correlation coefficient of r=0.32 and p<0.05.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
In postmenopausal women with overweight or obesity, higher dietary cholesterol intake is linked to higher baseline cortisol levels, even when accounting for total fat and calorie intake.
See the scientific wording
In postmenopausal women with overweight or obesity, dietary cholesterol intake is associated with higher basal cortisol levels (r=0.32, p<0.05), independent of total fat or energy intake.
When dietary cholesterol is consumed, the liver releases more cholesterol into the bloodstream, which the adrenal glands use to make more cortisol. At the same time, high cholesterol intake is linked to increased inflammation and insulin resistance, which keep the brain's stress signal system turned on, forcing the adrenals to keep producing cortisol even when it's not needed.
What the research says
1 studyIn overweight postmenopausal women, eating more cholesterol was linked to higher baseline stress hormone levels, even when total calories or fat intake were considered — and this link was found directly in the study.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.