Khaberni - A study indicated that a sugar substitute found in thousands of sweets and sodas may promote hair growth in those suffering from baldness, which is "stevia".
Stevia is a natural sweetener that is calorie-free and used in more than 40,000 products worldwide, containing compounds known as steviol glycosides, which give it its sweet flavor.
Pharmaceutical mixture
Researchers from the University of Sydney have shown that mixing these compounds with the drug minoxidil, known as Rogaine, for treating hair loss, which is sold over the counter, may help rejuvenate hair growth on the scalp.
According to the "Daily Mail", in tests conducted on mice, scientists daily applied a microneedle patch saturated with a mixture of minoxidil and steviol glycosides to the bald back of the rodents for a month, and found that it stimulated new hair growth in 67.5% of their backs by the end of the experiment.
Minoxidil is a common and inexpensive hair loss treatment in the United States, with an estimated 40 million Americans using it annually.
In the experiment, the mice that had their backs sprayed with a 2% standard minoxidil solution, without steviol glycosides, daily for the same period, experienced new growth in only more than 25% of the bald area.
Dr. Levin Kang, who led the research, said: "Using steviol glycoside to enhance the delivery of minoxidil represents a promising step towards more effective and natural treatments for hair loss, which could benefit millions worldwide".
Overall, 31% of those who used the drug saw an increase in hair density by more than 20%. In the placebo group, none of them experienced any hair growth.
Stevia extracts
Researchers are still unsure why stevia extracts enhance hair growth, but they suggest it might be because they help the body absorb more minoxidil, increasing the effectiveness of the drug.
Minoxidil works by stimulating blood flow to hair follicles in the scalp, which extends their growth phase and encourages the growth of new hair strands.
It is usually used topically in the form of a gel or foam, but given the skin's poor absorption, users must apply the medication twice daily, often for 6 months or more, before seeing results.
Its use is considered safe, but in rare cases, the drug can cause side effects, including swelling of the hands and feet, chest pain, increased growth of facial and body hair, and nausea and vomiting.
