In a study published January 1 in the scientific journal nutrients, Chinese researchers have established a first link between excessive consumption of sugary drinks and baldness. Their work, done at Tsinghua University, Beijing, was released in a paper titled: The link between sugary drinks and hair loss in young men.
The study’s conclusions, based on a questionnaire completed by 1,028 Chinese men between the ages of 18 and 45, are clear: “In the final analysis, we found that a high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with an increased risk of baldness.”
“Hair loss in men has become a global health problem. Its incidence continues to increase and the age at which the first hair loss appears continues to decline”, write the researchers to justify their work.
1028 attendees
The survey conducted by the Chinese researchers was carried out from January to April 2022. The 1,028 selected participants were asked to indicate their consumption of sugary drinks and the existence of hair problems.
The results took into account certain sociodemographic factors, but also psychological or lifestyle factors of the participants. Similarly, respondents with scalp disease or people with cancer who were undergoing chemotherapy treatment were excluded.
The results, collected through online questionnaires, establish a link between high consumption of sugary drinks and hair loss in men. A total of 57.6% of the participants reported suffering from hair loss.
“Mean daily consumption of sugary drinks in the group of participants characterized by hair loss was 4,293 ml, much higher than that of the normal group, with 2,513 ml,” the researchers write.
Similarly, respondents who reported consuming sugary drinks more than seven times per week are among the group of people most at risk for early hair loss.
Does too much sugar kill hair?
To explain these results, the researchers proposed two main avenues. First of all, too high a concentration of glucose in the body, allowed by an increased consumption of sugar, can influence hair growth.
The researchers note that, paradoxically, excessive sugar consumption reduces the amount of glucose available to hair follicles, the cavity in which hair or hair originates. One of the possible causes of baldness.
“In addition, excessive sugar consumption is often accompanied by excess fat. However, a diet with a high fat intake is also blamed for baldness. Animal studies have shown that a high-fat diet can cause hair loss in mice,” the researchers explain. saying.
Other factors to consider
However, the study calls for caution. Significant consumption of sugary drinks alone cannot fully explain premature hair loss, and very often it is part of an unhealthy lifestyle. This, however, does not call into question the role that sugary drinks played, the study authors say.
Therefore, people who have experienced hair loss are also more likely to be smokers, drinkers, exercise less, and have an unstable sleep pattern.
Obviously, baldness is not the only public health problem posed by sugary drinks, the study notes. The role of these in obesity, diabetes, dental problems but also in the mental health of consumers has already been mentioned in many other studies.
Given these initial results, the Tsinghua University researchers call for more research, this time based on results obtained in the laboratory, and not through online questionnaires.
Source: BFM TV
