Meeting beautiful women can raise stress levels

Levels of cortisol, produced by the body under physical or psychological stress, can rise dramatically when men are left alone with an attractive female according to the latest research.

The effects are even greater when men believe that the woman is 'above them' or 'out of their league'. Researchers tested 84 males by placing them in a room with a Sudoku puzzle, which they were asked to solve, and two strangers - one male, one female.

When left along with the male stranger, the volunteer's stress levels did not rise. However, when left alone with the female stranger, researchers noticed an increase in levels of cortisol. The researchers concluded: 'In this study we considered that for most men the presence of an attractive woman may induce the perception that there is an opportunity for courtship.

'While some men might avoid attractive women since they think they are 'out of their league', the majority would respond with apprehension and a concurrent hormonal response.

'This study showed that male cortisol levels increased after exposure to a five-minute short social contact with a young, attractive woman.'

Elevated levels of cortisol have been linked to impotence, heart disease and diabetes.


/Metro.co.uk/