Does Eating Spicy Food Cause Hair Loss? No, eating spicy food does not cause hair loss. Eating spicy food is often associated with digestive issues like nausea and vomiting, but not hair loss.
It would be wise to check with your doctor if you are experiencing hair loss to make sure it isn’t the result of another issue.
Claims that eating spicy food or drinking hot liquids will cause hair loss are not true. There is nothing in pepper, ginger, cayenne, or other “hot” foods made from spices that trigger hair loss.

The idea of eating spicy food causing hair loss is an old wives tale based on medieval medicine and the humor theory. This theory is still taught in some schools but has been discredited by modern medical experts.
Is spicy food good for hair growth?
[amazon bestseller=”Hair Growth” items=”2″]
There is no research to suggest that spicy food stimulates hair growth or prevents hair loss. Spicy food can be high in sodium, which can cause water retention and trigger dehydration if you eat a lot regularly.
However, this has nothing to do with stimulating hair growth or preventing hair loss. If you lack protein, you may want to add more protein-rich foods like lean meats and eggs to your diet.
Does Eating Spicy Food Cause Hair Loss?
Eating spicy food does not cause hair loss directly. But it can trigger other health issues like nausea and vomiting. Spicy foods are high in sodium which may cause water retention, triggering dehydration.
If you eat too much spicy food regularly, it may increase your risk of having dry skin and hair. It is important to consume enough nutrients for healthy skin and hair regrowth, including protein for new cell growth.

Spicy foods are generally not recommended for people with digestive issues or stomach ulcers. Diabetics may also want to avoid sweet, spicy mixes since it will result in blood sugar spikes.
Spicy food does not directly cause hair loss but can trigger other health issues like nausea and vomiting. It is important to consume enough nutrients for healthy skin and hair regrowth, including protein. If you have digestive issues or stomach ulcers, it is best to avoid spicy food.
7 Worst Spicy Foods That Causes Hair Loss
[amazon bestseller=”Spicy Foods” items=”3″]
As I mentioned above, spicy foods do not cause hair loss directly, but some foods are really worst for your hair.
The worst hair destroying foods are:
1. Deep Fried Food
Deep-fried food is high in hydrogenated oil, which can clog your pores and prevent hair growth. Since the oil will sit on top of your skin for a long time, it may also clog your pores and trigger acne breakouts.
This type of fat will pile up in your body. If you have a hard time digesting fat, it will clog your digestive system and prevent hair growth.
It can also cause constipation and other digestive issues that may affect your scalp health, depending on where the blockage occurs. Deep-fried food is high in hydrogenated oil, which can clog your pores and prevent hair growth
2. Processed Meat
Processed meat is high in fat and sodium. It may also contain nitrates which are known carcinogens. The chemicals will clog your pores prevent hair growth, though there is no evidence that nitrates trigger hair loss directly.
Processed meat products are extremely difficult for your body to digest. The chemicals from the meat may also be irritating to your body.
Suppose you start experiencing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea regularly. In that case, it is time to add more fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet. This will provide more nutrients that are easy for your body to absorb and support healthy hair growth.
3) Acrylamide Producing Foods
Acrylamide is a chemical used in natural gas processing, water treatment, and industrial manufacturing. It is a known carcinogen found in some fried foods, including potato chips and french fries.

Suppose you have been eating these foods regularly. In that case, it may trigger hair loss by clogging your pores from the oil and preventing hair growth from the chemicals of acrylamide. Over time, if you do not change your diet, it may also cause kidney problems that trigger hair loss.
4) Sugar Spikes
Sugar spikes are bad for your health all around. They affect your blood sugar level and hormones that trigger insulin production in the pancreas. This can lead to hormonal imbalances that cause dry skin and hair, preventing healthy new cell growth for shiny, strong locks.
Suppose you have diabetes or any other condition that results in extreme sugar spikes like candida overgrowth. In that case, you may want to avoid sweet-spicy mix since it will further increase blood sugar levels.
5) Fatty Meats & Cheeses
Fatty meats and cheeses are high in saturated fat, which doesn’t get metabolized quickly. Instead, it sits in your body and clogs up your digestive system, and prevents hair growth.
Fatty meats and cheese also cause constipation and may trigger acne breakouts depending on where the blockage occurs.
6) High Acid Foods
High acid foods, including coffee, dried fruit, grains, alcohol, and carbonated drinks, increase the production of stomach acids. Which can irritate your throat lining resulting in nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Suppose you experience these symptoms regularly after eating high acidity food. In that case, it is time to consider juicing fresh fruits and vegetables to help treat this problem. It will provide more nutrients easy for your body to absorb for healthy skin and hair regrowth.
7. MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)
MSG is a flavor enhancer commonly found in Chinese food, canned vegetables, soy sauce, and processed meats.
Since MSG triggers glutamate receptors to over-produce histamines. Which causes inflammation. It may also trigger inflammation of your hair follicles.
If you regularly experience itchiness, redness, or swelling on your scalp, avoiding foods high in MSG like Chinese take-out may help improve hair growth.
The Bottom Line
Have you noticed your hair thinning? You might be tempted to blame it on the stress of modern life or some other lifestyle change. But what if there’s a more logical explanation for this type of sudden and unexplained loss?
For example, have you been eating spicy food lately? It turns out that capsaicin – an ingredient in red pepper, jalapeño peppers, cayenne pepper, and many others. It can affect how much your body produces sebum as well as testosterone levels.
This has been shown to lead to temporary hair loss until those hormone levels return to normal. In moderation, these foods are perfectly healthy, but excessive consumption could negatively affect your scalp health!

Dr. Aditya Gupta is a highly accomplished Indian doctor with extensive experience in the field of neurology. Born and raised in New Delhi, India, Dr. Gupta completed his medical degree from the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), followed by his postgraduate studies in neurology from the same institution.