Many people have had the occasional energy drink, while for some, these drinks form a regular part of their diet. But what’s in them, and do energy drinks cause hair loss?
No one wants to experience hair loss, and while some have genetic hair loss, others might experience it because of external reasons. Since lots of people want to know whether energy drinks may cause hair thinning or loss, we thought we’d try and answer that question below.
What’s in an Energy Drink, Anyway?
There must be something in there to give you energy, right? In some cases, you’ll find sugar high on the list of ingredients. It could be present in other forms, so you might see glucose instead of sugar, for instance. These drinks are also known for their caffeine content, which often comes in at around the same as an espresso coffee.
All this is designed to give you a quick hit of energy to keep you going through the day. However, some people drink several of these per day. You wouldn’t drink too many espressos each day, so it’s important to think about how many energy drinks you’re having instead.
Could There Be a Link Between Male Pattern Hair Loss and Energy Drinks?
According to a study conducted by Chinese scientists in Beijing, there could potentially be such a link. Details of the study were published in Nutrients, covering 1,028 men between the ages of 18 and 45, who reported their energy drink consumption and other relevant data online.
The study looked at sugar-sweetened drinks rather than just energy drinks but found there seemed to be a link between increased consumption of such drinks and a greater risk of hair loss. Since sugar does feature in plenty of energy drinks, it’s worth considering whether you’d be better off drinking something else that doesn’t contain sugar if this has become a habit for you.
Is Sugar Associated With Hair Loss?
A diet featuring excessive levels of sugary drinks or foods may cause many types of health issues. We all know the instant hit you get from something sugary, hence why energy drinks tend to contain some of it. Yet it’s better for you if you can reduce the amount of sugar you ingest.
And your hair is often affected by your diet, believe it or not.
Oftentimes, a big change in your diet can cause a change to your hair. If you’re lacking in vitamins and minerals, your hair could become lackluster. It’s not uncommon for people to start losing some hair if they change their diet. This can take a while to see, hence why some people may not make the connection between their hair loss and what they’re eating or drinking.
Will the Occasional Energy Drink Do Any Harm?
It shouldn’t, but there are better ways to feel more energetic than to rely on these drinks. There’s not enough research to go on yet to be able to say for sure what the results might be. A good and balanced diet that is low on sugar and high in vitamins and minerals will benefit you in lots of ways – and yes, that could include your hair.
If you are experiencing male pattern baldness, stopping the energy drinks isn’t going to magically resolve things. However, if you notice your hair is thinner than it was previously, and those energy drinks form part of a diet filled with fast food and lacking in nutrients, you could certainly knock those cans on the head. This could be part of a bigger approach to help find hair loss solutions, and to prevent you from losing more hair.
Remember also to speak with your hair stylist for more advice if you’ve noticed any changes in your hair. In fact, they may spot it before you do, as they’ll be used to your hair and what it is usually like.
If you fancy the very occasional energy drink, it’s no issue for most people. However, you can see there are good reasons to find other ways of getting those energy boosts you’re looking for without risking your hair. For more information on how your diet might affect your hair loss, reach out to us at Unique Hair Concepts.
