Does sugar cause hair loss? Sugar is a sweet poison and can harm the body in a variety of ways. Hair loss due to sugar occurs indirectly through sugar consumption, for example through inflammatory processes in the body or through the development of diabetes mellitus.
If you limit sugar consumption, you can not only prevent hair loss from sugar, but also achieve greater well-being.
Hair loss due to sugar – multiple effects
Sugar does not lead to hair loss directly, but indirectly, since high sugar consumption can promote many diseases:
- overweight and obesity
- diabetes mellitus
- skin fungus
- cardiovascular diseases and circulatory disorders
- digestive problems with diarrhea or constipation
Sugar gives energy quickly, but it can make you addicted. A chocolate bar, candy, a piece of cake or biscuits are suitable as a snack and a quick source of energy for in between.
Sugar can become a drug because it activates the brain’s reward system. As a study by Prof. Falk Kiefer from Heidelberg University in Germany on overweight patients shows, the brain reacts differently to apples than to ice cream.
The reward system is only activated by foods that contain a lot of sugar. The brain reacts to sugar in a similar way to alcohol and other narcotic drugs. It releases dopamine.
The study found that obese people are more interested in high-sugar stimulants than non-obese people. Heavy sugar consumption is a vicious cycle. The consumption of sugary foods is increasing, which causes those affected to gain weight and the risk of many diseases increases. This also increases the risk of hair loss from sugar.
Immune system weakened by sugar
Sugar can directly and indirectly weaken the immune system. An indirect weakening of the immune system occurs when people who eat sweets frequently do without fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamins. A vitamin deficiency can be the result.
Foods with a high sugar content such as chocolate, desserts or cakes will fill you up. For many people, it is easier and more convenient to quickly grab a sugary snack than to eat a healthy meal.
However, the sugary snacks do not last long, so that there is soon a feeling of hunger that is satisfied with sugar again. If the immune system is weakened, bacteria and fungi have can easily spread.
They also settle on the scalp. Fungi on the scalp can lead to dandruff and hair loss. Bacteria can also cause hair loss.
Hair loss due to sugar, which favors bacteria and fungi, usually occurs as scarring hair loss. Scarring occurs in the affected areas. The hair no longer grows back.
Sugar consumption and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Sugar favors the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The pancreas has to produce more insulin in order to remove the sugar from the blood and to transport it to the cells and organs of the body that derive energy from it.
At some point, the beta cells can no longer sustain the high insulin production and die. Diabetes mellitus type 2 and an absolute insulin deficiency occur.
Hair loss due to sugar can develop in type 2 diabetes because the immune system is weakened and blood circulation is deteriorated.
The scalp is poorly supplied with blood, which leads to a poorer oxygen and nutrient supply to the hair follicles. The hair falls out.
Not to be forgotten are the late effects of diabetes mellitus, which include kidney damage, polyneuropathy, diabetic foot and eye diseases.
Obesity favors hair loss
Hair loss due to sugar can result from being overweight. It is a stress-related hair loss that is aggravated by being overweight. This hair loss occurs diffusely on the entire head.
The hair becomes thinner until the scalp becomes visible. When stressed, the body releases the hormones adrenaline and cortisol. Not the hormones themselves, but the breakdown products can lead to hair loss.
The breakdown products are stored in the body’s fatty tissue and from there they enter the bloodstream and hair follicles. They have a negative effect on the sebaceous glands of the scalp and lead to hair loss. The higher the percentage of body fat, the greater the strain on the hair.
Hair loss due to sugar and inflammatory processes
Sugar triggers inflammatory processes in the body. It puts the cells in an inflammation-like state. The body reacts to this with glycation, in which tissue fibers are saccharified.
The complexion worsens. The skin becomes large-pored, shiny and pimply. This also affects the scalp and hair. The hair becomes dull and brittle. The growth phases shorten.
The hair prematurely enters the resting phase, which lasts for at least three months. If the hair falls out, it takes at least three months for new hair to grow again.
How to avoid hair loss from sugar
If you want to avoid hair loss, it is important to reduce sugar consumption. It’s not that easy at first. Look for alternatives that contain less sugar.
Instead of sugar, you can use stevia for sweetening. Instead of sugary snacks, go for fruit, nuts, or natural yoghurt. To sweeten yogurt or curd, you can use maple syrup or agave syrup and slowly reduce the amount of it.
Conclusion: Sugar can indirectly lead to hair loss
High sugar consumption can promote many diseases. Hair loss due to sugar occurs indirectly, as various diseases that can occur due to high sugar consumption, such as diabetes mellitus or obesity, can lead to hair loss.
Hair loss due to sugar is also caused by inflammatory processes in the body. Sugar can lead to glycation, in which tissue is saccharified. The skin becomes shiny, large-pored and impure. Pimples and blackheads appear. The scalp can also be affected. The hair falls out.
If you want to counteract hair loss, you should reduce sugar consumption and switch to a healthy, vitamin and mineral-rich diet.
