Think your cortisol is too high? Expert reveals the truth behind viral wellness craze

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG. NYC certified dietitian and nutritionist Amy Shapiro discusses the latest social media health trends centered around cortisol, often dubbed the 'stress hormone.' Shapiro explains the body's natural need for cortisol and clarifies which popular reduction tips, like limiting caffeine or consuming fermented foods, are fact-based versus fiction. She also details signs of elevated cortisol levels and effective management strategies. Social media feeds have recently been flooded with wellness influencers warning about the dangers of high cortisol. But is this complex hormone truly something people should try to eliminate, or is it a victim of online hyperbole? In a recent Fox & Friends segment, Ainsley Earhardt sat down with New York City-based certified dietitian and nutritionist Amy Shapiro to separate fact from fiction. Despite its reputation, cortisol