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If you are struggling with thinning hair, a closer look at your diet could make all of the difference. What you put in your body ultimately impacts your hair, and, depending on the foods you eat, the culprit behind your hair loss could be your diet. With that in mind, if you are losing hair and working to find a solution, paying more attention to your eating habits is a good place to start. In particular, there is one food that is known for being related to hair loss: sugar.
Sugar
Sugar is an ingredient you should probably be limiting in your diet anyway. Having too much of it can wreak havoc on your overall health, and has been linked to heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, per Medical News Today. It's effect on your hair may also be harmful.
According to Eat This, Not That!, "Protein is super important for your hair, and sugar hinders the absorption of it." With that in mind, a high-sugar diet could be the reason your hair is thinning out.
Dr. Anthony Farole, the leading cosmetic facial surgeon in the Greater Philadelphia area, poses another theory about sugar's link to hair loss. According to his website, "Another theory is that hormone imbalances may contribute to hair loss since the right balance is vital for producing the right hormones connected to hair production. What we consume affects our hormone levels, and a high intake of sugar, chemicals, and carbohydrates may lead to a hormone imbalance."
Farole also suggests that sugar lacks essential vitamins for hair growth – vitamin D, E, copper, iron, magnesium, and selenium. So if a good portion of your diet lacks these crucial nutrients, that could hurt the overall health of your hair.
If you have a sweet tooth and are noticing thinning strands, chances are they might be connected. To keep your hair healthy, strong, and full, try reducing your sugar intake. You don't necessarily have to cut all sugary foods from your diet, but keeping them in moderation could go a long way in improving your hair (and overall) health.