Crying can actually promote weight loss? Science says so

Do you ever find yourself fighting back the tears when feeling emotional and overwhelmed? Fret no more, and let those tears go. A natural way exists to relieve the despair and promote weight loss.

Research shows that high-intensity emotions increase cortisol, a stress hormone that can lead to increased abdominal fat if not released. The act of crying provides the body an outlet to release stress hormones and related toxins.

Our bodies naturally produce three kinds of tears: reflex, basal and emotional. Reflex tears are produced when eyes are exposed to irritants and debris. Basal tears are continuously produced to provide the eyes with adequate lubrication.

Dr. William Frey, a biochemist, found that reflex tears are composed of 98 percent water. When emotional tears were tested, the tears contained not only water but also stress hormones. These results support the idea that tears are the body's natural release valve for accumulations of stress and its resulting toxins.

Crying can not only help reduce stress, weight-inducing hormones, sadness and grief, but it can also help express joy and exuberance. So the next time you have the urge to cry, grab the tissues, and cry yourself to better health. It may be just what the doctor — and your tailor — ordered.