On to the topic at hand...
How does caffeine prevent hair loss and stimulate growth?
According to a study published by the International Journal of Dermatology, caffeine blocks out a hormone called DHT which is responsible for male pattern baldness and damage to hair follicles. In the study hair samples were taken from men and monitored in a laboratory for eight days, and it was shown that caffeine consumption had boosted hair growth 33 to 40 percent.[3] This finding is also being applied to research regarding hair growth/loss in women.
What is the amount of caffeine you can expect per drink?
A single serving of caffeine is considered to be 100mg, roughly the amount in one cup of brewed coffee. The table below shows the estimated caffeine content for some common beverages.
| 2oz | Espresso | 40 to 120 | mg |
| 8oz | Brewed Drip Coffee | 60 to 160 | mg |
| 8oz | Decaffeinated Coffee | 3 to 5 | mg |
| 8oz | Green Tea | 20 to 40 | mg |
| 8oz | Black Tea | 20 to 60 | mg |
| 12oz | Coca-Cola Classic | 34 | mg |
| 12oz | Mountain Dew | 55 | mg |
| 8oz | Red Bull | 80 | mg |
Source: Hair Loss And Caffeine
Thinking of adding caffeine to your regimen?
Don't get too carried away, too much caffeine can actually boost DHT and lead to hair-loss. Just like many things with hair - the trick here is to find the balance.
Check it out: Jc over at The Natural Haven did a post last year about the effects of caffeine on hair growth.
Resources
1. Management of Baldness
2. Caffeine & Hair Growth
3. How does diet affect hair growth?
