Brush, protein, vinegar

Panic about cortisol: why TikTok doesn’t help here

Round and puffy: That's what some influencers call a "cortisol face" - and they offer some creative tips. In reality, it's not that simple.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/stock.adobe.com/krone kreativ)

"If you're not losing weight, it could be because of your cortisol levels": Influencers on TikTok have discovered cortisol as the new villain - especially when it comes to weight. So just produce a little less cortisol, brush it off, treat it with vinegar or something and the world will look completely different. Is it all true? We asked the expert!

Stubborn belly fat, a round, puffy face: According to the various TikTok videos, these are signs that you have too high a cortisol level and are therefore unable to lose weight. Virtually everyone is said to be affected by this and too much stress is behind it. Professor Dr. Alexandra Kautzky-Willer from the Medical University of Vienna shakes her head: "No, of course not everyone has it."