While there are plenty of foods that are good for your hair, there are just as many that can have a negative impact on its health.
If you are losing more hair than normal and are unsure why, making some changes to your diet could make all the difference.
We look at some of the foods you should avoid – or cut down on – to give your follicles a better chance to thrive.
Foods that can contribute to hair loss
1. Sugar and refined carbs
Consuming too much sugary food is not only bad for your weight but it can also impact your hair health. One study conducted in 2016 found that diets with too many carbohydrates could lead to increased hair loss, with researchers finding that sebum production is increased by a high amount of sugar.
Sebum is helpful in retaining hair moisture, but if too much is produced it can cause hair fall. Sugary foods can also contribute to poor blood circulation, which may deprive hair follicles of the nutrition they need to stay strong.
Alternatives to try
- Fresh fruit and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Natural sweeteners (honey/yacon syrup etc.)
2. Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages do not have any nutritional value and so offer nothing positive for our hair. And because of its dehydrating properties, regular consumption of alcohol can dry out your hair, making it brittle and more prone to breakage.
You don’t necessarily have to stop drinking, but cutting down your alcohol intake will have a positive effect on your hair and overall health.
Alternatives to try
- Coconut water
- Fresh fruit juice
- Green tea
3. Junk food
We all enjoy a takeaway meal from time to time, but your hair won’t be happy if you are eating it too often.
As we mentioned above, the important role is played by sebum in ensuring you retain natural moisture in your hair. However, overeating junk food can upset the balance, causing the sebum glands to become too greasy, which can make it more difficult for hair to grow naturally.
Research has also been done in this area, finding that consuming too much junk food will have a negative impact on hair health due to how it affects the sebum glands.
Alternatives to try
- Home-cooked meals
- Fresh vegetables
- Fresh fruits
4. Diet soda & carbonated drinks
Diet sodas usually contain an artificial sweetener called aspartame. If you consume too many beverages that contain it, this could contribute to hair loss.
Carbonated drinks also interact with insulin in your body, which can make it less responsive to sugar. If this happens, it can affect blood circulation, which is important for retaining a healthy head of hair as it is the core element of hair growth.
Alternatives to try
- Freshly squeezed fruit juices
- Sparkling water infused with fruit
- Herbal tea
5. Diet foods
Going onto a low protein diet without seeking professional advice can create unexpected issues in your body and hair.
Although your main goal will be to lose weight, at the same time you could be depriving your body of important nutrients such as protein, calcium, fatty acids and zinc, which all have an important role to play in hair health.
For example, keratin production could be impacted if your intake of zinc and iron is reduced, which is the main component of hair. Should this happen, it could lead to increased hair fall as a result.
Alternatives to try
Try to eat a balanced diet that contains all food groups. Speak with a doctor to help you choose a diet that suits your body and try to include foods like lentils, lean meat, spinach and fruits.
Get in touch
At Kartee Salon, we are truly lucky to have amazing customers who love what we do, with some even calling us the best hair salon in Tooting (some have even called us the best hair salon in London!).
Whilst we are not qualified dieticians, if you need help or advice about managing your hair, we’re always here to help and can give you tips and insight based on what works best for you.
You can also find regular updates on our social channels that offer free, helpful tips and insight into common hair issues: Facebook or Instagram.
You can find us on Colliers Wood Road, SW19 and we are open Monday to Friday, 10-7.30pm (9pm on Thursdays), Saturday 9-6pm and Sunday 10-5pm. Give us a call on 020 8540 4664 or email hello@kartee.salon and we’d be more than happy to arrange a free hair consultation.
