There are various factors that may lead to hair loss, including health conditions and a poor diet, among others. While such links have been established, there are some particular triggers that can be adjusted. Reyvuh reports that recent studies show how sweetened beverages, such as energy drinks, may lead to great hair loss.
What Causes Hair Loss: Sugar-Sweetened Beverages
This was according to a study published in the Nutrients journal.
While occasionally taking a sweetened beverage may be fine, frequently consuming it significantly increases hair loss risks among men by a whopping 42%. The research pointed out that sugary drinks, such as sweetened tea, soda, sports drinks, and energy drinks, are contributors to hair loss acceleration.
According to Medical News Today, a research team from Tsinghua University in Beijing looked into the link between MHPL (male pattern hair loss) and SSB (sugar-sweetened beverages) consumption. As part of their study, they examined over a thousand men and tasked them with taking in 1 to 3 liters of sugary drinks each week.
They discovered that higher SSB is significantly correlated with higher MHPL risks. Revyuh also notes how consumption of over one sugary drink each day led to a heightened hair loss risk of 42%. The men who reportedly had hair loss had an average weekly consumption of 12 sweet beverages.
Dr. Ai Zhao, Ph.D., an assistant professor from the Vanke School of Public Health, notes that heightened sugar consumption boosts blood sugar concentration. This, in turn, triggers the pathways of polyol that turn glucose into other sugars.
Other than this, according to Healthnews, SSB consumption is significantly linked to obesity, weight gain, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic liver disease, kidney disease, cavities or tooth decay, arthritis, and gout.
ALSO READ: No Sugar For Kids Under 2 Years Old: Nutritional Epidemiologist Explains Why
A Hair Loss Warning For Women As Well
Hair surgeon and hair loss clinic Elithair's medical director, Dr. Balwi, warns that men are not the only ones who should be careful about SSB.
He also advised that women should be careful about energy drinks as well. Energy drinks, which are filled with caffeine and sugar, may lead to similar effects among women. Dr. Balwi mentions that the high levels of caffeine in the drinks are one of the leading contributors to hair-damaging effects.
According to Revyuh, Dr. Balwi expresses that caffeine may inhibit the flow of blood into hair follicles. It does so by making the scalp's blood vessels constricted. As a result, the hair becomes weak and may even fall off.
Dr. Balwi stresses that it is important for both men and women to be aware and careful about the level of caffeine that they ingest. They must not go beyond 400 mg, which is the recommended limit for daily intake.
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