Many people experience changes in appetite during moments of intense stress. Some might binge [on] unhealthy foods, while others find their appetites drastically reduced. A study in the journal Nutrition Research found that 81% of college students experienced appetite issues during periods of stress. An increase in appetite is more common than a loss. In the study, those who increased the amount they ate made more unhealthy food choices and consumed more foods high in sugar. High cortisol levels could be responsible, though this symptom could also be due to changes in the production of ghrelin, a hunger hormone.

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