For many men, a strong hairline is a sign of confidence—unless you’re fully embracing the bald look. But what if you’re losing hair without knowing why? A doctor says one everyday drink could be the cause.
Dr. Neena Chandrasekaran, a specialist in pulmonary and critical care medicine, shares health advice online. In a new TikTok video, she warned that a popular drink may be linked to hair loss.
“Things they don’t tell you, part 384,” she said. “Recent studies suggest sodas and energy drinks can contribute to hair loss and anxiety in men.”
That’s right—your daily Red Bull or Coca-Cola could be affecting you in ways you didn’t expect.
Dr. Chandrasekaran explained how these drinks can harm the body and increase stress, which may lead to hair loss.
“These drinks contain a lot of sugar and additives that can throw off your body’s hormones and harm your health,” she said. “High caffeine can raise cortisol, the stress hormone, while too much sugar is linked to poor circulation and inflammation, which weakens hair follicles.”
She added that the combination of high cortisol and sugar can also increase anxiety and overstimulate the nervous system. “If you’re losing more hair and feeling anxious, cut these drinks out,” she advised.
However, the connection between these drinks and hair loss isn’t confirmed. Scientists continue to debate the issue.
A team from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, conducted a study on soda and male pattern hair loss (MPHL). Their findings suggest that Western diets high in added sugars may trigger processes leading to hair loss.
But not all experts agree. Dr. Susan Massick, a dermatologist at Ohio State University, cautioned against drawing conclusions too soon.
“The study doesn’t prove that sugary drinks directly cause hair loss,” she said in a Healthline report. “Hair loss happens for many reasons. While diet affects overall health, this study doesn’t confirm a direct link between sugary drinks and thinning hair.”
So, while cutting down on sugary and caffeinated drinks may improve health, the connection to hair loss still needs more research.