MEN who operate at high levels of stress not only risk having poor health, they may also be damaging their love lives, according to research released today.
Women, researchers at the University of Abertay Dundee in Scotland found, are more attracted to calm, collected guys with lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol coursing through their systems, than men who are chronically amped.
The study, published today in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B journal, also found no clear link between attractiveness and high levels of testosterone, as has been previously hypothesized, because of a supposed link between testosterone and overall health.
The team of researchers gathered healthy young men from the university and measured their cortisol and testosterone levels. Heterosexual female students were asked to rate the men on their masculinity, health and attractiveness.
The research was split into two separate experiments. The first part only looked only at testosterone and cortisol levels and attractiveness. The second half showed female participants images, created on computers, that altered the men’s faces, showing how they might look were their hormone levels changed.
As to what is so attractive about the less-stressed out males, the researchers theorize their relaxed airs suggests they have “strong” genes and can handle stressful situations - a desirable trait to pass on to offspring.
Humans are not the only creatures who find mates who appear to have healthy responses to stress attractive. Calm responses to hazardous situations create an evolutionary edge, researchers working with other animals, including zebra finches, have shown.
There is also, possibly, a biological reaction. Persistent high levels of cortisol can suppress both the immune system and reproductive function.
Link here:
http://www.news.com.au/breaking- ... rfku0-1225924605973
