This month, Nioxin ambassador and globally recognised trichologist, Mark Blake (MIT WTS IAT), ends the year with some words of wisdom on the impact that festive food and drink can have on our hair. It’s not all bad news though, getting the beers in can actually be beneficial!
YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT…
A balanced rainbow diet, full of brightly coloured foods with plenty of eggs and protein, is great for nurturing healthy hair. Drinking plenty of water is also essential as processed, salty food can be incredibly dehydrating for the hair. A Mediterranean diet, for instance, rich in fresh vegetables, unprocessed foods and olive oil, is considered optimum for hair growth. During the Christmas season, sprouts are fantastic for hair. They are rich in Iron, Vitamin C,Vitamin K, Folic Acid and Cysteine, all of which are thought to encourage hair growth.
WINE TIME…
Whilst Christmas is definitely the time to crack open another bottle, it’s worth considering the link between drinking alcohol and hair loss. As ever with alcohol, it’s all about moderation; drinking excessively could lead to you not getting the adequate amount of nutrients you need for a healthy head of hair. Alcohol inhibits the absorption of Vitamin B12, which is essential for hair growth. Through working to extract energy from proteins during fat digestion, lower levels of Vitamin B12 can result in a thinner, weaker hair density.Meanwhile, the levels of zinc that you’re able to take can also be negatively impacted by excessive drinking. Some studies have even highlighted the potential link between zinc deficiency with male and female pattern baldness.On the other hand, some research suggests that drinking beer (again, in moderation) can actually promote healthy hair growth. As beer isa good source of silicone – an essential component of collagen – it can deliver positive physiological benefits to the epidermis, hair and nails.
SUGAR AND HAIR LOSS…
Unfortunately, it’s not just alcohol that takes its toll on the hair. According to a study of more than 1000 men between the ages of 18-45, those who consume more than a single sugar-sweetened drink a day– including natural sources of sugar, like fruit juices and artificial sweeteners – have a 42% increased risk of male pattern hair loss. Whilst it’s true that men can lose their hair for a variety of reasons, sugary drinks certainly catalyse this process.
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