No conclusive evidence that eating sugary foods causes dandruff

• No conclusive evidence that eating sugary foods causes dandruff

Researched by Jeniva John

There was a  post circulated in instagram claims that high-sugar foods can lead to incurable dandruff that does not heal, some of its words;

“Hivi unajua kula vyakula vya sukari nyingi vyaweza pelekea kupata mba zisizo pona? Vyakula vya sukari hufanya kazi ya kurutubisha mba na kuzifanya zikue zaidi na zaidi, reads one of the posts in Kiswahili posted on 27 August  2023,”

This translates to: Did you know that eating foods with a lot of sugar can lead to dandruff that does not heal? Sugary foods work to enrich and make it grow more..

What is Dandruff?

Dandruff is a common skin condition that causes white or grey flakes of skin to appear on the scalp and in the hair. The flakes are often noticeable if they fall from your scalp onto your shoulders. Your scalp may also feel dry and itchy. 

The word dandruff (dandruff, dandriffe) is of Anglo-Saxon origin, a combination of ‘tan’ meaning ‘tetter’ and ‘drof’ meaning ‘dirty’. Dandruff can occur due to various factors including Malassezia and none of them is connected  directly with either the food.

Studies haven't proven 

The quotes of Dr Alicia Zalka a medical doctor associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn said  "While there's no compelling data from medical studies that I have found suggesting diet changes can cure dandruff, in my 18 years of clinical practice, more of a connection seems to be emerging."

But is the claim true? We checked.

Dermatologist  opinions

Dr. Lingato Olekotoy from FEM IPO hospital in Karatu said it's important to understand that dandruff is often linked to a specific fungus called Malassezia. 

“These fungi have different strains and thrive on oils containing sugar elements. Since Malassezia naturally resides on the body, much like our beneficial microorganisms, it thrives in the presence of excess sugar, including from a high-sugar diet.”Dr.Olekotoy

So, if you have a penchant for sugary foods, some of that sugar may be converted and stored as fat in the skin's oily areas, known as sebum. When people gain weight, it can be due to these areas accumulating excess fat.

In these fatty areas, Malassezia finds a food source in the skin. Therefore, if someone has dandruff on their scalp and is overweight, it may be more challenging to eliminate dandruff because these fungi continue to feed.

However, it's not entirely accurate to claim that eating sugary foods directly causes dandruff. Instead, someone with dandruff who consumes sugary foods and has excess body fat may find it harder to get rid of dandruff. It's worth noting that not everyone who consumes sugary foods gains weight or develops dandruff.

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Dandruff is a common skin condition that causes white or grey flakes of skin to appear on the scalp and in the hair. The flakes are often noticeable if they fall from your scalp onto your shoulders. Your scalp may also feel dry and itchy. Picturel Tudo Sobre 

Dr. Peter Chapa, a dermatology and sexually transmitted diseases specialist at the Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital in Tanzania, explains that dandruff, known medically as seborrheic dermatitis, has been extensively studied regarding its connection to diet. 

“In the past, it was believed that a high-sugar diet could lead to inadequate insulin production and the buildup of excess fat in sebaceous glands, especially in areas prone to this condition, such as the scalp, face, chest, and upper back.”Dr. Peter Chapa,

However, Dr Chapa said recent studies conducted in 2022 and 2023 have shown that there is no significant link between a high-sugar diet and the development of skin conditions like dandruff. 

Moreover, Dr. Chapa points out that the prolonged healing time for dandruff, which can range from one month to six weeks, is often due to inconsistent medication use. Many patients do not adhere to the prescribed treatment regimen, according to his expertise as a specialist. Therefore, it is not accurate to attribute dandruff solely to sugar consumption.

This report was compiled under the mentorship of Africa Facts network member Nukta Fakti. Africa Facts is a network of fact-checkers across the continent supported by Africa Check, Africa’s first independent fact-checking organization