Foods That May Block DHT and Fight Hair Loss

1. Green tea

Derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, green tea is one of the most popular drinks worldwide.

During production, green tea leaves are steamed — and not fermented as is often the case with oolong and black tea leaves — which maintains more of the tea’s natural compounds 

This includes one of green tea’s primary plant chemicals called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which has been associated with health benefits like weight loss, heart health, and brain health ).

EGCG has also been shown to protect hair follicles — the part of your skin that grows hair — from hair loss caused by DHT (7Trusted Source).

When applied to the scalps of three men for 4 days, an alcohol extract of EGCG stimulated hair growth by preventing the death of cells that regulate the growth and development of hair caused by DHT 

While this study has many limitations related to its small sample size and short treatment duration, it helps pave the way for further research on the topic.

Green tea extract supplements commonly contain standardized amounts of EGCG but have not been shown to combat hair loss caused by DHT. They have also been linked to liver damage in certain populations.

Ultimately, additional studies in humans are needed to better determine whether drinking green tea or taking EGCG or green tea supplements blocks DHT and fights hair loss.

2. Coconut oil

Coconut oil comes from the kernel or meat of coconuts.

It’s commonly used for cooking thanks to its ability to withstand high cooking temperatures. The oil also has various applications in beauty, skin care, hair care, and overall health.

Coconut oil contains a high percentage of fat from medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), primarily in the form of lauric acid, which has been shown to block DHT production in test-tube and animal studies when provided orally.

While these types of studies — known as preclinical studies — help researchers identify whether a specific treatment may be effective or safe, their results can’t be translated to humans.

As such, clinical studies in humans are needed before coconut oil can be recommended for preventing or treating hair loss.

3. Onions (and other foods rich in quercetin)

White onions add a sweet yet sharp flavor to an abundance of dishes.

They contain few calories but boast a high content of antioxidants like quercetin.

In preclinical studies, quercetin has been shown to inhibit the production of DHT from testosterone by blocking the action of the enzyme alpha-5 reductase and decreasing oxidative stress.

For example, when combined with a commonly prescribed medication to treat hair loss, quercetin was shown to decrease DHT production in rats.

Despite these promising results, no studies have investigated the effects of eating onions or taking quercetin supplements on DHT levels in humans.

Other fruits and vegetables rich in quercetin include asparagus, spinach, kale, apples, and berries.