Alcohol and Sugary Drinks Could Be Thinning Your Hair, Study Finds

Your habit of soda or happy hour could spoil the health of your hair.

It is according to a new review of nearly 20 studies, which revealed A link between drinking alcohol and sugary drinks and an increased risk of hair loss. On the other hand, higher contributions of vitamin D and iron were associated with the growth of opposite hair.

This finding is not entirely surprising, said Julia Zumpano, RD, a recorded dietitian based in the Cleveland Clinic. “Nutrient intake plays an essential role in hair loss, as indicated in this review,” she said Health.

However, she added, research helps paint a clearer image of how – and that – nutrients are the most important for healthier hair.

For the new review, researchers have analyzed 17 studies from around the world, including a total of 61,332 people aged 7 to 77 years. The vast majority of participants – 97% – were women.

Alopecia, a medical term for hair loss, as well as hair loss linked to natural age, were the most studied aspects of hair health. Vitamin D has become the most frequently examined nutrient or diet of those included in studies:

• Iron
• Protein
• Soy
• Cruciferous vegetables
• Alcohol
• Sugary drinks
• Supplements

The researchers found a link between hair loss and a higher contribution of alcohol and sugary drinks. Vitamin D and iron diets seemed to help fight alopecia and hair loss.

There are many good reasons to reduce sugary drinks and alcohol – but before the noses not on fears of hair loss, it is useful that The study has major warnings.

Although this type of research can show associations between diet and hair loss, it cannot prove causality, Zhaoping Li, MD, PHD, chief of the clinical nutrition division at the UCLA David Geffen Medicine School, said Health.

Most of the studies included were in the transverse section, which means that information was collected at a given time, which the authors noted made “impossible” the realization of a complete meta-analysis. The conceptions and analyzes of the study varied considerably, which makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions, added Li.

In addition, as most participants were women, it is not clear if the results apply more widely.

The role that the consumption of alcoholic and sweet drinks really plays in hair health is always blurred. But the experts said These habits could theoretically contribute to hair loss for a simple reason: they can interfere with the ability of your body to absorb nutrients that support healthy hair.

“A probable cause of the link between hair loss and the consumption of sugary drinks and alcohol could be the role that these drinks play on the intestinal microbiome, absorption of nutrients and those who consume these drinks can consume less food,” said Zumampano.

This could mean less vitamin D, for example, that Zimprano explained “is essential to create cells that develop in hair follicles”. Another key nutrient, as the study suggests, is iron, which helps provide oxygen to hair follicles.

You could also miss other nutrients and foods that are not specifically linked to hair growth in the study, but what Zimprano said can support hair force, such as vitamin C, soy products and cruciferous vegetables such as Brussels germs and broccoli – which offer fibers, proteins, vitamin A, vitamin C and madness.

“If a person’s diet is deficient in vitamins essential for hair growth, we know that it is a very important factor,” said Zimprano.

Or, as it says: “Nutrition is the basis of hair health. “”