Male pattern hair loss is the most common type of hair loss in men. The U.S. National Library of Medicine estimates that more than 50% of men above the age of 50 will experience some level of male pattern hair loss (MPHL).
While male pattern baldness can begin during the teenage years for some people, it is much more common in adult men, with its chance of developing increasing as individuals grow older. Research has indicated that rates of male pattern hair loss may be on the rise, with a Chinese survey indicating that the condition affected more than 27% of men in 2021, an increase from the 21.3% recorded a decade before.
Scientists have posited that this may be due to dietary changes, with some studies suggesting that glucose metabolism may be linked to hair loss in some way. According to a recent study, the rise in hair loss rates among men may be due to an increased intake of sugary beverages. The study, conducted by investigators at Tsinghua University, analyzed the connection between male pattern hair loss and the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB).
The researchers recruited 1,028 young men aged 18 to 45 years of age from various provinces across China via an online survey. The participants provided information on their lifestyle, dietary intake, hair and status, with more than 57% of the participants reporting that they had MPHL. The researchers then used a binary logistic regression model to explore the relationship between frequency/amount of SSB consumption with male pattern hair loss.
According to prior studies, individuals with male pattern hair loss were more likely to be older, exercise less, be current or former smokers, and sleep less. They were also likely to have lower education levels, experience severe anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), have a history of male pattern hair loss, and have dyed, bleached, relaxed or permed hair.
The researchers discovered that high SSB consumption was associated with an increased risk of MPHL. They also observed that individuals with MPHL consumed fewer vegetables and more sugar and honey as well as deep-fried food, ice cream and sweets. On average, people with male pattern hair loss consumed 4.3 liters of sugar-sweetened beverages every week compared to individuals without MPHL, who consumed an average of 2.5 liters per week.
According to study author Dr. Ai Zhao, higher sugar intake leads to increased blood sugar concentration and causes a chain of reactions that convert glucose into other sugars. In vitro and vivo studies indicate that this process reduces glucose levels in the outer regions of hair follicles and may result in hair loss. However, Zao noted that the study was limited because it used self-reported data rather than clinical diagnosis. She also highlighted that the study did not consider the effect of other sweetened products on hair loss and did not determine the severity of hair loss in affected participants.
Given how prevalent hair loss is among men, it isn’t surprising that a number of companies such as Jupiter Wellness Inc. (NASDAQ: JUPW) are developing products aimed at stemming or reversing hair loss in males.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Jupiter Wellness Inc. (NASDAQ: JUPW) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/JUPW
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