We have all experienced the challenges of staying focused throughout the whole day. Energy drinks are a popular solution for days when we need an extra bit of help. But do energy drinks cause hair loss?
Recent studies suggest energy drink consumption may sometimes lead to excessive hair fall. The association between energy drinks and hair loss was previously disregarded as insignificant.
However, recent research suggests otherwise. People who drink energy drinks may suffer from a disrupted hair growth cycle. Limiting energy drink consumption can also reduce your risk of permanent hair loss.
Energy drinks are deeply rooted in modern dietary practices. It is marketed as a means to boost energy levels and improve performance. Nevertheless, most of us must be aware of the potential effects of energy drinks on our hair. Let’s discover why energy drinks harm us and how to recover from potential energy drink-induced hair loss.
Why Do Energy Drinks Cause Hair Loss?
The effects of energy drinks on hair growth depend on several factors. These reasons may include:
High Sugar Content
Sugar sweetened energy drinks each have different variations and formulations. One thing they have in common is a high quantity of sugar. A 16oz bottle may contain 50-60g of high fructose corn syrup or sucrose. This excessive sugar intake might lead to recurrent fluctuations in blood glucose levels and hair loss.
Over time, it can lead to health issues such as insulin resistance. It is a condition characterized by impaired cellular responsiveness to the insulin hormone. Hair loss in men and women includes metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. Elevated insulin levels correlate with a disruption of the hair development cycle and thinning hair.
Reportedly, increased levels can reduce the duration of the anagen phase. Reduction in the anagen phase duration can damage hair follicles in female and male pattern baldness.
Moreover, consumption of excessive amounts of sugar, such as contained in energy drinks, initiates the glycation mechanism. In this pathway, sugar molecules effectively accumulate and rigidify keratin proteins. Our hair is predominantly composed of the keratin protein. Therefore, glycation can compromise hair’s structural integrity, increase its shedding, and lead to hair loss
Overconsumption of Caffeine
Caffeine is mainly responsible for energy drinks’ distinctive “energising” impact. The caffeine content in a single energy drink can range from 80mg to over 150mg. In contrast, a conventional 5oz cup of coffee typically has only 95mg. Although moderate caffeine is generally considered harmless, excessive intake can harm your hair:
- It elicits an elevation in stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. Prolonged and heightened amounts of stress hormones might disturb hair development patterns.
- The process causes blood vessels and capillaries to constrict. This constriction may decrease the supply of nutrients and oxygen to hair follicles.
- Caffeine enhances the synthesis of the hormone testosterone in both men and women. Testosterone undergoes conversion into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It adheres to receptor sites located in hair follicles. This adherence can lead to a reduction in hair follicles.
If you only drink sugary drinks occasionally, they might not pose a significant risk to your body. However, drinking sweetened drink each day can lead to excessive hair thinning. It might even cause permanent hair loss in the long run.
How many energy drinks do you have to drink to be at risk of baldness?
Experts from Tsinghua University in Beijing researched the question: Do energy drinks cause hair loss?
They conducted a study among 1000 men to investigate the prevalence of hair loss. The study found that usage of energy drinks was linked to a higher risk of male pattern baldness.
The study adjusted for age, education, smoking, and other medical conditions. The link between energy drinks and hair loss remained significant after the adjustment.
Those who drank energy drinks more than once daily were over three times more likely to suffer from hair loss. Men who drink four or more energy drinks per week have a risk nearly four times greater than those who do not drink.
The study suggests that reducing sugary beverage intake may help lower the risk of hair loss in young men.
What To Do If You're Suffering from Energy Drink-Related Hair Loss?
In short, the answer to the question: Do energy drinks cause loss? is yes. What do we do now? If you suspect your hair loss is due to energy drinks, here are a few ways you can take care of your hair:
Reduce Energy Drink Consumption
Cut back on energy drink consumption or remove them completely from your diet. Excessive litres of these drinks can disrupt your body’s natural processes.
Balanced Diet
Focus on maintaining a healthy diet rich in nutrients like protein, iron, zinc, and vitamins C, D, and biotin. Eating fast food and fewer vegetables may increase your risk of hair loss.
Drink Plenty of Water
Staying hydrated can support your overall hair health.
Medications
Your doctor might prescribe over-the-counter hair loss treatments or medications if you suffer from moderate hair loss.
Hair Transplant
A lasting solution for significant hair loss is hair transplant. Techniques such as Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) are excellent ways to combat diffuse thinning.
Cosmedica Hair Clinic in Turkey specialises in cutting-edge treatments such as the DHI Sapphire method. Dr. Levent Acar has successfully performed over 20,000 surgeries and achieved a growth rate of 98%.
As a certified DHI Sapphire FUE hair transplant specialist, he has treated over 20,000 clients from around the globe. You can book a free consultation anytime to learn more about your hair condition and subsequent treatment.