For millions of coffee lovers across major metropolitan hubs like San Francisco, New York, Seattle (Washington), Austin (Texas), and Los Angeles (California), a morning espresso or iced latte is an essential non-negotiable routine. But if you have noticed an itchy, flaking scalp that seems to flare up on days you consume multiple cups of coffee, you might wonder whether your daily brew is secretly responsible.

If you recently switched to sugar-free energy drinks, diet sodas, or keto-friendly desserts and noticed an uptick in white flakes or an itchy, inflamed scalp, you might wonder if there is a connection.

The direct answer: Artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes do not directly feed scalp fungus the way sugar or sebum does, but they can indirectly cause or worsen scalp flaking by disrupting gut microbiome balance, triggering metabolic stress responses, and inducing systemic inflammation.

In an era of fast-paced lifestyles and quick-fix wellness trends—from tech hubs in San Francisco and Seattle, Washington, to bustling urban corridors in New York, Texas, and California—hair and scalp supplements have exploded in popularity. Zinc, in particular, is frequently marketed as a silver bullet for stopping dandruff, reducing oiliness, and preventing hair thinning.

However, the direct answer from clinical dermatology and nutritional science is definitive: No, taking a zinc supplement cannot replace a healthy diet for scalp care.