Pretty Women Have Lower Levels of Stress Hormone, University of Turku Study

Staying up-to-date has never been simpler. Sign up for the free GenePool newsletter today!

What are the other benefits of being beautiful, besides being fawned over and adored? Well, a new study suggests that people who are considered more physically attractive (women in particular) have lower levels of cortisol in their body, the hormone tied to stress. Researchers from the University of Turku in Finland recruited 52 Latvian women around the age of 20 to investigate this theory further. Leading the study, Dr. Markus Rantala examined photos that were taken and their levels of attractiveness were measured based on the opinions of 18 heterosexual undergraduate males. The participants were then vaccinated against hepatitis B so that the researchers could record the levels of antibodies produced. The researchers found that facial attractiveness did not correlate with improved immune systems. In a previous study, researchers found that for men, facial attractiveness correlated with a better immune system. However, they found that women who were considered more beautiful had lower levels of cortisol. The researchers believe that more stress could reduce a woman's facial attractiveness.

Hey, check out all the research scientist jobs. Post your resume today!

Back to news