Assessing the Relationship Between Dietary Factors and Hair Health: A Systematic Review

August 2025 in “ Nutrition and Health ”

N. N. S. GOMES, Nuno Silva, Beatriz Teixeira

vitamin D iron alopecia dietary factors hair health alcoholic beverages sugary beverages nutrition diet soft drinks

TLDR Eating foods rich in vitamin D and iron helps prevent hair loss, while alcohol and sugary drinks can cause it.

This systematic review analyzed 17 studies with 61,332 participants, mainly women, to assess the relationship between dietary factors and hair health. It found that higher levels of vitamin D and iron are inversely related to alopecia, suggesting their importance in maintaining hair health. Conversely, higher intake of alcoholic and sugary beverages is linked to increased hair loss. The review highlights the potential benefits of vitamin D and iron supplementation, as well as soy products and cruciferous vegetables, in improving hair health. However, it notes limitations due to the cross-sectional design and heterogeneity of the studies, indicating a need for further research to confirm these findings and develop evidence-based dietary recommendations.

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