Hair Loss Horror: Common Soda Habit May Be To Blame

Specifically, drinking too many sugary beverages is linked to a higher risk of male pattern hair loss in young men.

The study, conducted by a group of researchers from Beijing’s Tsinghua University between January and April last year, involved more than 1,000 Chinese men, ages 18 to 45.

The participants’ lifestyles were examined vis-à-vis their hair loss.

Their findings? Men who consumed sugary drinks daily were more likely to experience hair loss. Just one sugar-sweetened beverage a day (or one to three liters a week) – including juice, soda, coffee, tea, and sports and energy drinks – made a difference.

Of course, the risk was even higher for those who drank more than one a day (or a gallon or more a week).

In figures, one sugary beverage a day could put you at a 30 percent higher risk of hair loss than someone who never drinks them.

If you consume more than that, your risk goes up to 42 percent.

Of course, drinking sweetened beverages aren’t the only reason men lose their hair. What you eat could also affect that mane.

For example, the study found that those who were experiencing hair loss also had more fried foods and fewer veggies in their diet.

Stressed out? Anxious? The research also suggests that a history of mental health issues could make you lose hair as well.

Back to those sugary drinks. There’s actually more reason to put that soda down than just the fear of going bald.

For example, consuming soda every day puts you at risk for liver cancer and other illnesses.

And previous studies have shown that sugar can lead to insulin resistance, which in turn can cause type 2 diabetes. And by the way, there’s a link between insulin resistance and hair loss, too.

In short, it’s always a good idea to go easy on the sugary drinks.