Asian man with long, healthy hair wearing sunglasses, holding his phone and coffee

The notion “you are what you eat” is accurate. The nutrients from food support your bodily functions, and unhealthy foods can affect your overall health, including the state of your hair and scalp. Here are some foods to avoid or eat in moderation to avoid damaging your mane.

Greasy Food

No matter how delicious the greasy, fried stuff is, this kind of grub’s a no-no. Apart from lacking health benefits, fast food is oily. These meals can over-stimulate the oil glands on your body, including the scalp. Left untreated, oils on your scalp can . They can also clog your hair follicles and cause and .

Do burgers still sound yummy?

Sugar

Another guilty pleasure you should curb is sweets. Veering from sugar is the key to hair and scalp health because excessive consumption can lead to spikes in insulin. It stimulates oil production, which can lead to flakes.

If you currently have dandruff and a sweet tooth, it might be time to decrease your sugar intake. Moreover, support your hair health with Dove Men+Care Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, which can make your hair stronger and dandruff-free. It has caffeine and Zinc AD – essential ingredients to encourage hair growth and repair. You could also try CLEAR Cool Sport Menthol Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for Men, which gives your scalp an intense cleaning and removes flakes.

By the way, sugar goes beyond sweets. It can hide behind refined carbohydrates, like pasta and white bread, which break down and turn into sugar. You know what to expect from there.

Fish

Despite being a preference for health-conscious eaters, certain kinds of fish can affect your hair and scalp. The Institute of Trichologists has stated that high levels of mercury are associated with based on research.

Stay away from fish with high-fat content, which tends to have dense flesh. While being a great source of protein, these predators consume other fish, acquiring each meal’s mercury content. Examples include swordfish, king mackerel, marlin, bluefish, and grouper. Don’t consume these varieties more than thrice a month.

Turning to other alternatives such as salmon, sardines, tilapia, sole, and anchovies are better for your overall health.

Alcohol

In the simplest terms, alcohol lacks the nutrients needed for hair because it’s an empty-calorie liquid. It acts as a diuretic, causing the body to get rid of its water content through sweat or urination. The aftermath is essentially feeling dehydrated, causing damage to your hair. Excessive drinking and a reduced appetite could result in split ends, hair breakage, hair loss, dandruff, and overly dry or .

Dairy

Milk proteins can do wonders for hair health. Yes, the calcium, along with other hair-friendly nutrients in dairy, does strengthen your hair. However, remember dairy is also among the unhealthy foods that contain substantial levels of fat that can increase testosterone levels.

From there, the testosterone is converted into a hormone called DHT, known for causing hair loss and other health problems. Lastly, those who suffer from eczema, dandruff, or psoriasis may want to steer clear of dairy as it could worsen the problem, resulting in hair fall.

Any of the above can turn into unhealthy foods when consumed excessively. It’s always good to remember to eat in moderation. Think twice the next time you’re at the grocery or eating out – it could save you from hair fall and flakes.