Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40806153›Full record

ArticleNutrients2025

Exploring the Association Between Multidimensional Dietary Patterns and Non-Scarring Hair Loss Using Mendelian Randomization.

Lingfeng Pan, Philipp Moog, Caihong Li, Leonard Steinbacher, Samuel Knoedler, Haydar Kükrek, Ulf Dornseifer, Hans-Günther Machens, Jun Jiang

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Nutrients, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Lingfeng PanClinic for Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany.
Philipp MoogClinic for Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany.
Caihong LiDepartment of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Leonard SteinbacherClinic for Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany.
Samuel KnoedlerClinic for Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany.ORCID 0000-0001-5798-8003
Haydar KükrekClinic for Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-2340-2489
Ulf DornseiferDepartment of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Isar Klinikum, 80331 Munich, Germany.
Hans-Günther MachensClinic for Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany.
Jun JiangClinic for Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany.ORCID 0000-0001-7078-3715

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAndrogenetic alopecia (AGA) and alopecia areata (AA) impose significant psychosocial burdens. While pharmacological and surgical treatments exist, the role of dietary factors remains underexplored due to methodological limitations in observational studies. This Mendelian randomization (MR) study investigates causal relationships between 187 dietary exposures and hair loss, leveraging genetic variants to address confounding biases.

methodsGenome-wide association study (GWAS) data from 161,625 UK Biobank participants were analyzed, focusing on food preferences and intake patterns. Genetic instruments for each of the 187 dietary exposures were selected at a genome-wide significance threshold (

resultsMR analysis identified 18 specific dietary exposures significantly associated with non-scarring hair loss (FDR < 0.05). Protective effects emerged for antioxidant-rich dietary exposures, represented by higher preferences for melon, onions, and tea. Elevated risks were observed for certain exposures, including croissants, goat cheese, and whole milk. Alcohol consumption exhibited the strongest risk associations. Our extensive analysis of alcohol intake, combining data from multiple studies, consistently identified it as a significant risk factor for both alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia.

conclusionsThese findings imply modifiable dietary patterns in hair loss pathophysiology. A dual strategy is proposed: prioritizing polyphenol-rich plant foods while minimizing pro-inflammatory triggers like processed carbohydrates and alcohol. Clinically, tailored dietary adjustments-reducing ultra-processed foods and alcohol-may complement existing therapies for hair loss management.

Indexed as

AlopeciaAlopecia AreataDietMendelian Randomization AnalysisAdultAlcohol DrinkingFemaleFood PreferencesGenome-Wide Association StudyHumansMaleMiddle AgedPolymorphism, Single NucleotideRisk Factorsalopecia areataandrogenetic alopeciaantioxidant-rich foodsdietary patternshair lossprocessed foods

Identifiers

PMID40806153
PMCPMC12348279

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.