Male pattern baldness is an extremely common – and often anxiety-provoking – topic for many men who find themselves losing their hair at an early age. Statistics show that about 70% of men will become at least partially bald as they get older, and half experience significant hair loss by age 50. Around 25% can see the signs of impending baldness before they reach age 21.
Although genetic factors certainly play a role in male pattern baldness, diet and lifestyle factors that may be involved have been the subject of a great deal of research. Recently, Chinese scientists reported that drinking above-average amounts of sugary beverages like sodas, sweetened fruit juices and energy drinks could actually contribute to baldness in younger men.
In that country, the rate of male pattern baldness has jumped in recent years, rising from 21.3% in 2010 to 27.5% in 2021. Looking into possible dietary connections, a research team from Tsinghua University in Beijing surveyed a group of over 1,000 men between the ages of 18 and 45 about their food and beverage intake along with other lifestyle habits, as well as their experience of hair loss.
A key finding was that those experiencing male pattern baldness drank nearly double the amount of sugary beverages as those who were not … an average of 4.3 liters (1.1 gallons) vs. 2.5 liters (0.66 gallons) per week.
They also found that men whose dies diets contained more fried foods and sugary desserts, and fewer vegetables, were more likely to have male pattern hair loss.
While they noted that their findings are based on correlation, not causation and that further research is needed to confirm the link, they concluded that high amounts of sugary beverages do increase a man’s chances of early hair loss. The study was published in Nutrients.
