October 9, 2024, 9:02 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Many men experience hair loss in the first half of their lives. This often manifests as receding hairlines or thinning at the crown. A study involving about 1,000 Chinese men surveyed about their beverage consumption shows that factors beyond genetics can play a role.
Hair loss can have various causes, such as stress, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, or lack of sleep. However, in the vast majority of cases, it is hereditary—affecting both men and women. It primarily affects men starting at age 30. Hereditary hair loss is due to an inherited sensitivity of hair follicles to male sex hormones (androgens).1 As age increases, the degree of hair loss typically progresses, often starting with receding hairlines and potentially ending with a bald spot at the back of the head or complete baldness. However, other factors can contribute to non-hereditary hair loss, as Chinese researchers have now discovered. Frequent consumption of sugary drinks may be one such factor.
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Overview
Over 1,000 Chinese Men Provided Information on Their Beverage Consumption
The frequency of hair loss among Chinese men reportedly increased from 21.3 percent to 27.5 percent between 2010 and 2021—alongside a rise in the consumption of sugary drinks, particularly among young men aged 13 to 29. Researchers from Tsinghua University in Beijing reported these findings in their study, which aimed to determine if there is a link between hair loss and the consumption of sugary beverages. To answer this question, they used data from a total of 1,028 Chinese men who participated in an online survey.2 All were between 18 and 45 years old, with an average age of 27.8 years, and came from various regions of China. The survey asked participants questions about their lifestyle habits and the status of their hair.
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Even One Sugary Drink a Day Increases the Risk of Hair Loss
Data analysis revealed that hair loss was 30 percent more common among men who consumed about one sugary drink daily. These could include juice, soft or energy drinks, as well as sweetened coffee and tea. The total amount of sugary beverages consumed by this group ranged from one to three liters per week.
There appears to be a link between the amount of sugary drinks consumed and the risk of hair loss. The analysis showed that participants who drank more than one sugary drink daily and consumed more than three liters weekly had a 42 percent higher risk of hair loss compared to men who did not consume sugary drinks.
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Many Men Drink Sugary Beverages Every Day
According to the study data, the vast majority of men drank at least one sugary drink daily. About half of the participants drank sugary beverages even more frequently. Those who reported hair loss drank an average of about 12 sugary drinks per week.
Men who reported hair loss tended to drink more, averaging about twelve servings per week. In contrast, participants without hair loss drank about seven servings per week on average.
Limitations of the Hair Loss Study
Although the study indicates a certain link between the risk of hair loss and frequent consumption of sugary drinks, the results cannot be definitively interpreted. Other influencing factors may also play a role. According to the study, men with hair loss reported eating more fried foods and less vegetables. Additionally, there were connections between hair loss and anxiety disorders as well as post-traumatic stress disorders, which some participants suffered from. Furthermore, the study’s results may not be applicable to all people, as only one ethnic group was examined.
As is often the case, this study, based on a survey, cannot prove a direct link between sugary drinks and hair loss in men. More research data and clinical studies are needed to clearly demonstrate the impact. Nevertheless, there are many reasons to reduce sugar consumption and especially to avoid sweetened drinks.