Caffeine Intake and Hair Health: How Much is Too Much?

Despite its popularity, caffeine has sparked plenty of debates, with both praise and criticism surrounding its effects. This has led to many myths and misunderstandings about caffeine in everyday life. In this blog, we’ll explore the truth behind caffeine and its impact on our health and daily routines.

Many of us depend upon a morning cuppa coffee to have a fresh morning and to function normally, and some days definitely require a double shot of espresso to help us face the tiring day. People need quick fixes, and caffeinated beverages are the perfect pick-me-up for a dull day that promises just the required dose of energy.

The debate on the effects of caffeine on hair is based on the presumption that caffeine dehydrates the body, including the scalp and hair. Caffeine drinkers are generally prone to hair loss. With excessive consumption of caffeine products, it is not uncommon to notice large clumps of hair in the shower drain.

Let’s look into some reasons that may be behind the hair loss associated with excess caffeine consumption:

Caffeine is known to prevent the absorption of iron and other nutrients into the body for the health of both the body and the hair. One of the foremost symptoms of iron deficiency is hair fall. Magnesium, zinc, and calcium are inhibited due to heavy drinking of coffee. Taking supplements to replace the missing ingredients and iron also does not help.

Stress is also augmented due to the regular intake of coffee. The adrenaline in your system is drastically increased, giving you a high-energy boost. But this is temporary; once it wears off, you again start feeling tired and depressed. Over a period of time, this cycle takes its own toll on your health and hair. When you inadvertently compromise on your diet, it can lead to hair fall.

The cortisol levels, a stress hormone the body produces, are pushed higher with caffeine intake. Although the signs may not be evident early on, triggered stress can take over and lead to premature greying and hair fall.

Topically applying hair products that possess caffeine is a good choice because of its hair-stimulating effects.

Caffeine in shampoos can help:

• Suppress the hair loss hormone DHT
• Stimulate hair growth
• Encourage elongation of the hair shaft
• Support strong and healthy hair growth

Your caffeine habit is probably fine and may even have certain health benefits attached to it. But if you have noticed side effects of caffeine, such as heartburn, nervousness, insomnia or even hair loss consider cutting back.

The FDA has stated that up to 400 mg of caffeine daily is safe for most healthy adults. This is approximately the amount of caffeine in four cups of brewed coffee or 10 cans of cola.

If you can’t give up caffeine entirely, try limiting its amount to one to two cups of coffee, or switch to try healthier options such as green tea, which also contains antioxidants and amino acids. When taken in moderation, tea or coffee definitely has some health benefits, such as longevity. But if you are taking in more than 3 or 4 cups per day, it would be wise to cut back gradually over a few months or weeks.

Also, remember that caffeine is not alone in coffee. You might also be consuming caffeine-based sodas or energy drinks. Tea contains significant amount of it too. It is also found in some forms of chocolate. When considering all of these factors, it becomes evident that we’re exceeding our caffeine limit, and this can encourage hair loss.

However, before you decide to increase or decrease your coffee intake or buy hair products containing caffeine, it’s a good idea to consult a hair specialist or a dermatologist to find out other factors and causes that may be causing your hair loss. Through advanced hair restoration treatments and alternative non-invasive techniques, HairMD can help patients suffering from hair loss.