Cortisol & Blood Sugar Unlocking the Truth About Cortisol and Blood Sugar Most people blame refined carbs and sugar  for blood sugar spikes. While diet matters, there’s another powerful driver that’s often overlooked: cortisol . Cortisol is commonly referred to as the “stress hormone,” but its role goes far beyond stress alone. It directly influences how your body produces, releases, and manages glucose — sometimes more aggressively than food itself. What Is Cortisol and Why