A common ingredient in ice cream, sweeteners and diet drinks may help regrow hair, a recent study suggests.
It's about stevia, a natural, calorie-free sweetener used in over 40,000 products worldwide.
New Australian studies show that when stevia compounds, called steviosides, are combined with minoxidil – the popular hair loss drug used as Rogaine – they can stimulate hair growth.
Tests on mice show promising results
Scientists placed a microdot plate composed of minoxidil and stevioside on the backs of mice that were shaved every day for a month. The result: hair growth in 67.5% of the area gone, compared to just 25% in the group that received plain minoxidil.
Dr. Lifeng Kang, a pharmacist at the University of Sydney and lead author of the study, said:
"The use of steviosides to improve the absorption of minoxidil is a promising step towards more effective and natural hair loss treatments that could benefit millions of people worldwide."
Experts aren't entirely sure why stevia increases the effectiveness of minoxidil, but it's thought that it helps the body absorb more of the drug, making the treatment more effective.
How does minoxidil work?
Minoxidil stimulates blood circulation to hair follicles and extends their growth phase, helping to form new roots.
It is usually applied in gel or foam form twice a day and the first effects are seen after several months of use.
New treatments that combine minoxidil with stevia may shorten this time and offer a more natural alternative for users.
So far, the study has only been conducted in mice, and further research is needed to see if the effects are the same in humans.
Where do we find stevia?
Stevia is found in diet drinks such as Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Zevia, in various ice creams such as Halo Top, as well as as a sugar alternative for tea and coffee.
Scientists warn that consuming regular stevia products does not guarantee hair growth; the effect was only observed when the combination was used in specific treatment with minoxidil.
A common problem
According to experts, about two-thirds of men face hair loss by the age of 35, and this figure increases to 85% after 50 years.
Among women, over 50% experience noticeable hair loss during their lifetime.
New treatments like this could bring new hope to millions of people looking for effective and safe solutions. /GazetaExpress/
t7 live
