Your soda could be making you bald, here's why

How to stop hair fall: Diet and nutrition play a crucial role in hair health, particularly vitamin D and iron supplementation, while limiting alcohol and soft drinks may be beneficial (Image: Pexels)

If you enjoy drinking soda, this may not be good news. A recent review of a research confirms that consuming sugary drinks may be linked to a greater risk of hair loss.

It pointed to the role of healthy foods that are beneficial for promoting hair health. “Diet and nutrition play a crucial role in hair health, particularly vitamin D and iron supplementation, while limiting alcohol and soft drinks may be beneficial,” note researchers from Portugal’s Universidade do Porto.

The analysis mentioned a 2023 study which stated that just 11 cans of sugary drinks per week, or over 3,500 millilitres, were associated with a higher risk of male pattern baldness in young men. However, the Tsinghua University researchers cautioned that it was hard to establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between the two, as the study relied on data reported by 1,028 participants.

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The review said that the 2023 findings were backed by a 2016 study that found “consumption of processed foods containing simple sugars…an indirect factor linked to hair loss.” Hence, consumption of sodas may cause obesity, tooth decay, and other issues connected to hair loss.

“These foods stimulate the secretion of excess sebum, which promotes microbial growth on the scalp. This, in turn, exacerbates irritation and inflammation, contributing to hair loss,” it further stated.

While the findings suggested targeted dietary intervention as a possible solution to treat hair loss and alopecia, they stressed that more research is needed in this regard for evidence-based recommendations to promote hair health through diet.

Some men begin to lose hair by the age of 30. Androgenetic alopecia, also known as hereditary pattern baldness, is the most common cause of hair loss in men and women.

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With advances in science, hair loss treatments are widely gaining traction, but what remains particularly interesting is how higher amounts of iron and vitamin D in the body can reduce the severity of alopecia and promote hair growth.

Consumption of soy in food may also prove beneficial. “A positive association was also observed between protein intake, the consumption of soy products, cruciferous vegetables, and supplements, with improvements in hair parameters such as hair loss and hair density,” the researchers said.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.