Do energy drinks cause hair loss? This is a common inquiry among people who drink these beverages frequently and experience hair thinning or balding. Although there isn’t any direct evidence linking energy drinks to hair loss, some aspects of their consumption can influence hair health negatively.
In a previous article, we discussed whether conditioner causes hair loss. Building on that discussion, in this article, we will examine current studies, talk about possible connections, and provide practical tips for those concerned about their hair.
Do energy drinks cause hair loss?
There is no scientific proof that energy drinks cause baldness, but it’s possible for certain ingredients in them to affect your hair indirectly:
Caffeine
Energy drinks are full of caffeine that gives you an instant boost of energy. While applying caffeine directly on your scalp can help with hair growth, drinking excess amounts may have the opposite effect.
Too much caffeine disrupts the natural cycle of growth of hairs and puts pressure on adrenal glands which then produce more cortisol – known as stress hormone too. Elevated levels of cortisol weaken hairs and could result in additional shedding.
Sugar and Artificial Additives
Most often, energy beverages contain high amounts of sugar as well as artificial additives which can cause dramatic highs and lows in blood sugar levels followed by insulin spikes too. Such fluctuations throw off the body’s hormonal balance required for proper hair production.
When hormones get imbalanced, follicles may stop growing new strands altogether or start shedding them at increased rates.
Nutritional Content
Energy drinks might supply beneficial nutrients like B-vitamins essential for good hair condition, nevertheless over-consuming such substances can be detrimental too.
For instance, excessive intake of vitamin B6 leads to alopecia (hair loss). Therefore, it is important to maintain adequate proportions of these elements so that your hairs remain healthy always.
Dehydration
If not taken alongside sufficient water quantities, caffeine has diuretic properties meaning that one urinates frequently thereby losing fluids rapidly, eventually resulting into dehydration. Dry brittle hairs break off easily when dehydrated, thus increasing chances of falling out too.
Understanding how these factors can influence your hair helps you make wiser decisions when drinking energy beverages. Trim down on them, improve eating habits and increase water intake if worried about the hair. This will ensure healthier strands always.
What should I do if my hair starts falling out?
If you notice a decline in your hair’s density and consume energy drinks regularly, it could be worth investigating whether there is any correlation between the two. Below are some steps to take when faced with such a situation which might help prevent further loss while potentially stimulating regrowth:
Stop or reduce consumption of energy drinks
These may contain high levels of caffeine, alongside other chemicals that contribute to balding. Cut back on them or quit altogether, then observe changes in thickness and general health of hairs afterward. This move allows the body to reset itself, thereby reducing shedding also.
Eat balanced meals
Hair growth relies heavily on nutrition, thus what one eats affects its condition significantly:
- Iron: Red meat like beef, spinach as well as lentils are good sources of iron which transports oxygen to roots necessary for healthy development
- Zinc: This metal can be found in beef, pumpkin seeds, and chickpeas and is crucial for fixing growth cells as well as keeping up with the oil glands around your follicles.
- Vitamins A, C, and E: These are vitamins that protect and keep hair cells healthy. Carrots and sweet potatoes contain vitamin A while vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons or peppers. Almonds along with avocados have plenty of vitamin E.
- B-complex vitamins: Nuts, eggs, plus whole grains are a good source of biotin (B7) which is known to play a role in maintaining healthy hair.
Keep hydrated
Caffeine is a diuretic — it makes you pee more often. This means your body loses water when you take caffeine, which eventually leads to dehydration. Dehydrated hair becomes dry and brittle, making it break easily. For this reason, make sure you drink at least 8-10 glasses of water every day so that both your body and hair stay hydrated.
Handle stress
Hair growth stops when chronic stress forces hair follicles into resting phase before leading to their falling out altogether. Here’s what you can do about stress:
- Exercise regularly: Physical activity helps reduce stress levels while improving overall health, which is beneficial for better hair growth too.
- Practice relaxation techniques: Lowering one’s stress level could involve trying out meditation deep breathing exercises or yoga, among others.
- Engage in hobbies: Hobbies relieve tension besides enhancing one’s mental state, thus acting as effective stress busters also.
Look into hair regrowth treatments
If you’re looking for treatments targeting specific areas where there has been some loss of hairs then go for those regrowth products containing multiple active ingredients that naturally promote healthier fuller strands such as:
- Minoxidil: This is the main ingredient contained in many FDA approved hair regrowth products; it helps increase blood flow to the scalp, thereby promoting longer life span of each follicle, leading to faster and thicker-growing strands. Minoxidil-based treatments come in different concentrations, catered specifically towards men and women.
- Biotin: Known as vitamin H or B7. Apart from biotin being known for its ability to enhance the health of the hair, it also helps in strengthening the strands and improving keratin structure, which is important in growing hair. This leads to stronger, healthier hair.
- Proprietary Blends: Additionally, several hair regrowth therapies have proprietary blends containing ingredients intended for proper and complete functioning of hair growth. These may consist of natural extracts or nutritional components that support scalp health and vitality.
There is a hair regrowth treatment designed for women that combines all of the above elements and is specifically designed to treat certain forms of female alopecia, being gentler yet effective. Another hair regrowth treatment designed for men tends toward higher concentrations of Minoxidil, as it addresses male pattern baldness.
When considering these treatments, it’s crucial to follow application instructions and be consistent with the treatment regimen to see effective results. Also, always consult a healthcare provider before starting any new treatment to ensure it suits your health needs and condition.
Consult a healthcare professional
If you’ve tried these steps and still notice significant hair loss, it may be time to see a specialist. A dermatologist or trichologist can assess your hair health, help identify any underlying causes of hair loss, and provide targeted treatments such as topical applications, supplements or other therapies tailored to your needs.
Hair health and energy drinks
Do energy drinks cause hair loss or not? To sum up, energy drinks might cause hair loss due to their consumption, but there is no particular proof for this claim. If people are losing their hair, they should think about what they eat and drink such as energy drinks among others in order to improve it.
Living a healthier lifestyle can be helpful by taking more fluids and reducing tension, which will assist one manage their hair better, leading to growth even where this looks impossible currently. Always remember that it’s part of your general wellness, so stay educated about health issues related with hairs.
However, if these fail, then seek help from professionals who will give you advice according to your condition. Keep being curious!
