Hair fall is an unpleasant chapter in our lives that almost all of us face. Food is the most important factor for both hair health and overall well-being. The vitamins and nutrients our hair needs come from what we eat. However, certain foods provide harmful substances to the hair. Some foods prevent or spoil hair from getting the nutrients it needs. Also, some foods may seem healthy but may not be beneficial for your hair health or may cause hair loss if eaten in excess.
I am a hair loss sufferer with experience in preventing it. Here, I will discuss some foods in light of my knowledge, experience, and research, which cause hair loss and why. Then I’ll tell you which foods had the most effect on my hair loss.
Foods that cause hair loss
1. Sugar-Containing Foods
Sugar is the worst nemesis for our health ever. Sugar interferes with normal blood circulation in our body. So the nutrients mixed in the blood are prevented from reaching the hair follicles. Eating sugar increases testosterone levels. Which produces DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in the blood. Malnutrition and DHT attacks weaken hair and increase hair loss.
So stop adding sugar to tea, coffee, and other foods today. Also, all types of sugar-containing foods such as chocolates, candies, cakes, pastries, pies, muffins, donuts, and desserts can be one of the reasons for your hair loss.
2. Sugar-Free Foods
You may now be thinking of eating sugar-free foods instead of sugar-containing foods. But be aware, that packaged sugar-free foods and beverages are even more dangerous than sugar-containing foods.
They contain an artificial sweetener called aspartame. Sugar and aspartame cause the pancreas to secrete excess insulin. Eventually, it loses its function and it is called diabetes. Blood sugar/glucose levels are not regulated normally in people with this disease. As a result, blood circulation is obstructed and protein supply to the scalp decreases, causing hair loss.
So to prevent hair fall, you need to avoid sugar and aspartame-containing foods and beverages. But if you prepare these foods yourself without any kinds of sugar or artificial sweeteners, it can be safe.
3. Dairy Products
We all know that milk proteins work quite well in maintaining hair health, and we are not denying it. But we also know that milk contains fat. Especially dairy food products such as Butter, Cheese, Cultured Dairy, Ice Cream, etc. have high levels of fat. These fats increase the level of testosterone in our blood. When testosterone increases, the production of DHT increases. Which is one of the causes of hair loss.
Also, pasteurized dairy products destroy natural enzymes. As a result, if we eat more of them, our digestion system gradually deteriorates. Which indirectly damages the health of our hair.
Therefore, it is good to consume fresh milk and sour curd in moderation to protect hair health.
4. Fish with High Mercury Content
We all know that omega-3 in fish is very beneficial for hair. However, there are some seafish that contain high levels of mercury. It reacts with other minerals in the body, especially zinc. As a result, zinc deficiency in the body. Since zinc is essential for hair growth, its deficiency causes hair thinning and hair loss.
One of the fish with high mercury content is Swordfish. Mackerel, Tuna, Shark, Barramundi, and Sea-urchins are also good sources of mercury.
5. Nuts
Are you surprised to see the name of nuts on the list of foods that cause hair loss? Because nuts contain protein and healthy fats that are very beneficial for hair health. However, most nuts contain selenium. Which can become one of the causes of hair loss if eaten in excess. Brazil nuts are especially high in selenium.
6. Raw Egg Whites
We all know that eggs contain protein and biotin. The biotin component plays an important role in the formation of keratin. And keratin is the primary structural protein of hair that forms the foundation of hair. Your hair’s strength and vitality depend on this foundation. A lack of biotin causes the hair structure to weaken and fall out.
Now come to the real point, raw egg whites contain a compound called avidin. Which interferes with the intestinal absorption of biotin. Eating too many raw egg whites may lead to a biotin deficiency. And we already know what will happen as a result.
7. Diet Foods
We often do crash dieting to lose excess body weight. Crash dieting without the advice of a nutritionist or dietician can lead to a deficiency of essential vitamins and nutrients in our food. If your diet does not contain the nutrients needed for hair health, it is quite natural that your hair will fall out.
8. Diet Soda and Carbonated Drinks
Diet soda and carbonated drinks can quench our thirst and provide a pleasant taste sensation. Along with that, they can cause fatal damage to our health.
All diet sodas and carbonated drinks contain high sugar or aspartame. We have already discussed how dangerous high sugar and aspartame are. So these foods are one of the reasons for your hair loss.
9. Alcohol
Everyone knows how harmful alcohol is. In the case of hair, it dehydrates the hair, resulting in loss of moisture. If the hair lacks the necessary moisture, it becomes brittle and falls out. Another problem with alcohol is that it lowers zinc levels in the body. And we already know that zinc is essential for hair growth.
Foods that had the biggest impact on my hair loss
My dermatologist thinks certain foods played a role in my hair loss along with many other factors. Among them are sugary foods and carbonated drinks. I also agree with him, because I used to eat these regularly. Also, I used to eat oily, fatty processed foods regularly. As a result, my hair fell out and after a long time, it became partially bald.
After realizing the reason, I reduce the consumption of these foods and leave them slowly. I try to avoid other harmful foods. Also due to the dermatologist’s advice and some other steps, I have been able to stop my hair loss problem after a long time. My hair is starting to grow back and I am optimistic.
If you have a hair loss problem, first analyze if there is any food influence or not. If you feel the effects of any food, avoid those foods immediately. If your hair loss condition does not improve after waiting a few days, definitely consult a dermatologist.
“Avoid harmful food, eat balanced food. Take care of your health and hair.”