A critical care doctor has warned that certain popular drinks could be linked to increased anxiety and hair loss. Dr Neena Chandrasekaran, a specialist in pulmonary and critical care medicine, recently took to TikTok to reveal the lesser-known effects of these everyday beverages.
Posting under the username @neenziemd, she shared “things they don’t tell you” about drinks often consumed to boost energy during the workday. She pointed to recent research suggesting a connection between these beverages and health concerns, SurreyLive reports.
“Recent studies suggest that sodas and energy drinks may contribute to hair loss and anxiety in men,” she explained.
Dr Chandrasekaran highlighted that these drinks are often packed with sugar and additives, which can interfere with hormone balance and negatively impact overall health. “These drinks are often loaded with sugar and a lot of additives that can disrupt the balance of hormones within the body and negatively impact the overall health,” she said.
Dr Chandrasekaran emphasised the significant role of “high caffeine content,” explaining that it can elevate cortisol levels, the body’s stress hormone. She also pointed out that “excess sugar is linked to poor circulation and inflammation, which can both weaken hair follicles and increase hair loss.”
She elaborated on the consequences of these factors, stating: “The combination of high cortisol levels and sugar can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and overstimulate the nervous system. The heightened state of stress also leads to hair loss, creating further inflammation.”
In her concluding remarks, she urged viewers to consider making lifestyle changes. “If you notice yourself losing more hair and feeling more anxious, cut these products out,” she advised.
Recent research conducted by a team from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, has explored the link between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and male pattern hair loss (MPHL). As reported by Surrey Live, their findings indicate that higher intake of SSBs is associated with an increased risk of developing MPHL.
SSBs refer to any drinks containing added sugars in various forms, including:
- Brown sugar
- Corn syrup
- Dextrose
- Fructose
- Glucose
- High-fructose corn syrup
- Honey
- Lactose
- Malt syrup
- Maltose
- Molasses
- Raw sugar
- Sucrose
Examples of sugar-sweetened beverages include regular soda, fruit-flavoured drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, sweetened water, and coffee or tea with added sugar.
The researchers found that men suffering from MPHL consumed nearly double the amount of sugary drinks compared to those without the condition. While these findings suggest a correlation, they stop short of establishing a direct causal relationship, highlighting the need for further investigation to confirm the connection.
Should I be worried about hair loss?
The NHS advises that while hair loss is typically not a cause for concern, it can be distressing for many individuals. They state, “Losing your hair is not usually anything to be worried about, but it can be upsetting. Treatment may help with some types of hair loss. It’s normal to lose hair. We can lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, often without noticing.”
However, they caution that hair loss can occasionally signal an underlying medical issue. “Hair loss is not usually anything to be worried about, but occasionally it can be a sign of a medical condition. Some types of hair loss are permanent, like male and female pattern baldness. This type of hair loss usually runs in the family.”
Additionally, some hair loss may be temporary and linked to various factors such as illness, stress, cancer treatment, weight loss, or iron deficiency. For further information and support, individuals are encouraged to visit Cancer Research UK’s resources on hair loss and those provided by Macmillan.