Sugary Drinks Boost Hair Loss Risk: Discover Nutrients That Combat It!

Researchers adhered to PRISMA guidelines, a recognized benchmark for systematic reviews, and registered their study protocol with PROSPERO.

The team reviewed extensive data from three major scientific databases — PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus — for studies published from March to June 2024.

They began with 1,287 studies, using search terms related to diet, nutrition, and hair health, and narrowed it down to 880 after removing duplicates and non-English or Portuguese studies.

The researchers independently screened these studies for specific inclusion criteria: participants needed to be aged three or older, studies had to examine particular nutrients or foods, and outcomes had to measure aspects of hair health such as growth or strength. Non-human studies and reviews were excluded.

Ultimately, 17 studies were selected involving over 61,000 participants, primarily females aged between 7 and 77, and included various types of research methodologies.

The team also evaluated the quality of the studies and found some variability; however, the findings painted a comprehensive picture of current knowledge.

The review primarily focused on alopecia, with several studies examining its severity and occurrence, and others assessing general hair loss.

Diverse methods were employed to assess hair health, from clinical evaluations to more quantitative measures like the Severity of Alopecia Score (SALT) and phototrichograms.

Vitamin D was a key focus of the review, with several studies investigating its connection to hair conditions like alopecia areata (AA) and androgenetic alopecia (AGA).

These studies generally found that higher levels of vitamin D could help protect against hair loss, although one study noted no significant association, indicating the need for further research.

Iron also emerged as beneficial for hair health, with one study showing that iron supplements improved hair growth in women with alopecia, underscoring its role in hair follicle function.

On the other hand, a lack of protein adversely affected hair health, impacting hair strength and color, thus highlighting the importance of sufficient protein for maintaining the structural integrity of hair.

The study further examined how specific foods, beverages, and dietary supplements could influence hair loss and growth.

Eating soy products and cruciferous vegetables appeared to lessen hair loss, likely due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Conversely, the consumption of alcoholic and sugary drinks was associated with increased hair loss and premature greying.

These insights suggest that dietary choices play a significant role in either exacerbating or alleviating hair health issues.

The review also looked into various dietary supplements containing a mix of vitamins, minerals, and botanical extracts known to benefit hair health.

Products like INVERSION Femme and marine protein supplements were noted for their positive effects on reducing hair loss and encouraging growth.

Additionally, supplements with hydrolyzed eggshell membrane and persimmon leaf extract showed benefits in terms of hair density and thickness.

Marie Jhin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and chief medical officer at Musely, stressed the importance of a nutrient-rich diet for the metabolic needs of hair follicles.

“I advise patients to consume a balanced diet rich in lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains,” she noted, emphasizing the role of nutrients like iron, zinc, vitamin D, and biotin, along with omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, flax, and walnuts.

She added that even minor nutrient deficiencies could impact hair growth and quality.

While Jhin believes that most nutritional needs can be met through diet, she acknowledged that supplements could be beneficial in cases of restricted diets or confirmed deficiencies.

“Vitamin D and iron are two deficiencies I frequently check for in patients experiencing hair loss, and supplementing these can be beneficial,” she explained.

Regarding biotin, commonly promoted for hair health, Jhin clarified that it tends to be most effective in those who are deficient, a relatively uncommon condition.

She recommended consulting a physician before starting any supplements to avoid potential adverse effects from excessive intake.

Susan Massick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, highlighted the significance of overall health maintenance.

“Maintain regular physical check-ups, adhere to medical advice, reduce stress, consume a nutritious diet, avoid smoking, and ensure adequate rest,” she advised. “Also, treat your hair gently.”

Massick emphasized the importance of early treatment for hair loss, particularly for those genetically predisposed to it. She mentioned that Healthline’s FindCare tool could be helpful in finding a local dermatologist specializing in hair loss treatments.

“Don’t delay treatment until hair loss is significantly noticeable,” she warned.

She noted that various effective treatments are available depending on the cause of hair loss, including medications like minoxidil, finasteride, dutasteride, and spironolactone, along with options such as protein-rich plasma treatments, low-level laser therapy, and hair transplant surgery.

Massick concluded by stressing the need for patience in treating hair loss, as improvements can take a minimum of six months to manifest.