FACT CHECK: Does consuming cold drinks cause balding?

CLAIM:

Drinking cold drinks containing carbonated water can speed up balding by blocking essential nutrients from reaching the hair. According to the viral reel, this weakens hair over time, causing thinning and eventually leading to hair loss. 

FACT:

Current scientific evidence does not prove that carbonated water or cold drinks directly cause baldness or block nutrients from reaching hair follicles. While some studies have found an association between high intake of sugary beverages and certain types of hair loss, researchers and experts stress that these studies do not establish causation, and factors such as genetics, hormones, nutrition, stress, sleep, and underlying health conditions remain the major known causes of hair loss. 

In a viral Instagram reel posted by ‘anishvaidya’, who, according to his bio, is a “fitness model” and has 2.59 lakh followers on Instagram, a claim linking cold drinks to hair loss has caught users’ attention online.

In the reel, he claims that drinking cold drinks can speed up balding because they contain carbonated water. Explaining the reasoning behind the claim, he says that carbonated water “prevents the nutrients needed to keep your hair healthy from reaching your hair,” which, according to him, causes hair to become thin over time and eventually fall out.

“The more cold drinks you drink, the faster you will get bald,” he says in the reel. He further warns viewers against consuming “any drink that contains carbonated water,” suggesting that these beverages directly interfere with hair health and contribute to hair loss.

The reel has managed to gain massive traction online, garnering over 1.3 million views, 10.5K likes, and 73.9K shares on Instagram.

What does research say?

Current scientific evidence does not prove that carbonated water itself directly causes baldness or blocks nutrients from reaching hair follicles. However, some studies have explored whether high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), including soft drinks, may be associated with a greater risk of certain types of hair loss. Researchers stress that these studies show associations, not direct causation.

A 2023 cross-sectional study conducted in China investigated the relationship between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and male pattern hair loss (MPHL) among young men aged 18–45 years. Researchers collected self-reported data from participants across 31 provinces and found that “high SSB consumption is associated with a higher risk of MPHL.” The study noted that sugary beverage intake among young people was already high, with participants consuming soft drinks an average of more than 11 times per week.

Exploring possible explanations behind the association, researchers suggested that the high sugar content in these beverages could influence metabolic pathways linked to hair follicle health. According to the paper, “the high sugar content in SSBs leads to a higher serum glucose concentration,” which may activate biochemical pathways associated with androgenetic alopecia. The study also discussed how excessive sugar intake may contribute to chronic diseases, anxiety, and other psychological factors that themselves are linked to hair loss.

Interestingly, researchers observed that “almost all the SSB subtypes have an adverse effect on MPHL,” including artificially sweetened beverages. However, they also repeatedly emphasised that the findings could not establish a cause-and-effect relationship. “It was a cross-sectional study, relying on self-reported data; thus, it is difficult to establish the temporal and causal relationships between SSB intake and MPHL,” the researchers wrote. They added that factors such as stress, PTSD, dietary habits, chronic disease, and lifestyle may also influence the findings.

Further research published in 2024 explored a similar question in women with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The study recruited 308 female AGA patients and 305 healthy controls and examined beverage habits, sleep behaviour, blood sugar, and blood lipid levels.

Researchers found that women with alopecia reported a higher intake of sweetened tea drinks. According to the study, “occasional intake (1–2 times per week) and frequent intake (3–6 times per week) of sweetened tea drinks were associated with AGA.” The researchers also observed that “daily sugar intake from soft drinks increased the risk of AGA,” while hyperglycemia and sleeping after midnight were also linked to a greater risk of hair loss.

Notably, the study suggested that sleep behaviour may partly explain the association. “Bedtime, instead of daily sugar intake from soft drinks, could mediate the relationship between sweetened tea drinks intake and alopecia,” the paper stated, indicating that lifestyle patterns associated with sugary drink consumption may also contribute to hair loss risk.

A more recent 2025 literature review examining diet and hair health analysed 17 studies involving more than 61,000 participants. The review concluded that nutrition may play an important role in hair health, especially nutrients such as vitamin D and iron. It also found that “a higher intake of alcoholic and sugary beverages was positively correlated with hair loss.”

However, the review did not identify carbonated water itself as a proven cause of baldness. Instead, the findings pointed more broadly toward overall dietary patterns, metabolic health, and nutritional status as possible contributing factors in certain forms of hair loss.

Expert insights 

Dr Rashmi Sarkar, Director-Professor, Department of Dermatology, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Hospital, New Delhi, agrees that sugary and fizzy drinks could theoretically impact skin and hair, but says more evidence is needed to establish a connection. 

“This review points to an interesting possibility. We already know that anything affecting metabolism can contribute to multiple diseases. So, theoretically, sugary and fizzy drinks could impact skin and hair as well. But as of now, we need much more evidence, especially large-scale, case-control studies, to establish a clear link.” 

She continues: “In my own practice, I don’t see many patients where sugary drinks are a direct cause of hair loss. However, for people who are diabetic or pre-diabetic, these drinks could play a role. Sugary beverages can cause sudden sugar spikes, which in turn may trigger inflammation, and theoretically, this could affect hair growth. But again, this needs stronger scientific backing.”  

According to Dr Sarkar, nutrient deficiencies are still the leading dietary factors she observes in patients. “Iron deficiency is one of the most common reasons for hair loss,” she notes. “Vitamin D deficiency is another, and unfortunately, it’s extremely widespread in India today. Thyroid disorders also frequently contribute.” 

Dr Sarkar emphasises that junk food, which includes sugary beverages, should be minimised, as it impacts health more broadly. But she also stresses that treatment depends on the type and cause of hair loss. “You always need to ask: is it hereditary, is it patchy, or is it linked to a chronic illness? Each type has to be treated differently. Some medications can help slow down hair loss, though they may not reverse it completely. But the foundation of healthy hair remains the same — a balanced diet, good sleep, and regular exercise.” 

This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS