What\u2019s in your cup might be working against what\u2019s on your head.<\/p>\n
A sweeping new scientific review<\/a> suggests that two of America\u2019s favorite beverages may be quietly sabotaging your scalp \u2014 fueling hair loss and premature graying from the inside out.<\/p>\n But before you pour your drink down the drain, there\u2019s hope: a simple, widely available supplement could help save your strands.<\/p>\n While more common in men, hair loss affects millions of women nationwide. pimpampix \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n More than 80% of men and nearly half of women in the US will experience significant hair loss during their lifetime, according to NYU Langone Health<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Hair loss can be triggered by many factors<\/a>, including genetics, hormones and certain medical treatments. Severe nutrient deficiencies are also a common culprit, but the impact of more subtle dietary factors on hair health is still being explored.<\/p>\n To get a clearer picture, researchers analyzed 17 nutrition studies involving more than 61,000 people aged 7 to 77, most of them women.<\/p>\n What they found might make you think twice before reaching for that next refill.<\/p>\n Excessive consumption of sugary drinks<\/a> like soda \u2014 defined as more than 3,500 milliliters per week, or about ten 12-ounce cans \u2014 was linked to a higher risk of hair loss<\/a>, especially in men.<\/p>\n The finding backs up earlier research<\/a> that showed eating processed foods loaded with simple sugars are an \u201cindirect factor linked to hair loss.\u201d<\/p>\n Sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages aren\u2019t doing your strands any favors. Pormezz \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n Here\u2019s why: Sugar-loaded drinks and snacks boost the production of sebum, a natural oily substance on your scalp. Normally, it protects and moisturizes, but too much can clog pores and create a breeding ground for bacteria.<\/p>\n That sets off inflammation and irritation, damaging hair follicles and triggering hair loss. <\/p>\n Alcohol didn\u2019t fare much better.<\/p>\n Two studies in the review linked a high intake to both hair loss<\/a> and premature graying<\/a>.<\/p>\n While the exact cause isn\u2019t clear, research shows heavy drinking can dehydrate the body<\/a>, sabotage nutrient absorption<\/a> and throw hormones out of whack<\/a> \u2014 all bad news for your hair.<\/p>\n Alcohol also ramps up oxidative stress<\/a> in the body. This can damaging hair follicles and mess with melanin production, leaving your once-vibrant locks dull, gray and lifeless.<\/p>\n Alcohol can drain essential nutrients needed for healthy hair, weakening follicles and speeding up premature graying. Tatiana Foxy \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n The supplement that can help with hair loss<\/p>\n There was one clear winner in the battle for better hair: Vitamin D<\/a>.<\/p>\n Five studies in the review found that higher levels of the nutrient helped reduce the severity of alopecia<\/a> and promoted hair growth.<\/p>\n Researchers also discovered that dietary iron was linked to better hair growth<\/a>, adding another potential weapon in the fight against thinning locks.<\/p>\n \u201cA positive association was also observed between protein intake, the consumption of soy products, cruciferous vegetables and supplements, with improvements in hair parameters such as hair loss and hair density,\u201d the researchers noted. <\/p>\n If supplements and diet changes aren\u2019t doing the trick, you\u2019re not out of options just yet.<\/p>\n Depending on the cause, several proven treatments<\/a> are available, including medications like minoxidil and therapies such as low-level laser treatments. In more advanced cases, hair transplant<\/a> surgery may be on the table.<\/p>\n But timing is key: The sooner you act, the better \u2014 especially if you\u2019re genetically prone to hair loss.<\/p>\n