A common sugar substitute found in thousands of sweets, including ice cream and soft drinks, may hold promise for treating baldness, according to a new Australian study.
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Researchers at the University of Sydney discovered that natural compounds in stevia, known as steviosides, can significantly enhance the effectiveness of minoxidil, a widely used hair loss treatment.
Minoxidil, marketed as Rogaine, stimulates blood flow to hair follicles but is poorly absorbed through the skin, requiring users to apply it twice daily for several months before seeing results. To improve absorption, scientists tested a microneedle patch filled with a mixture of minoxidil and steviosides on mice with bald patches.
After one month of daily use, the mice treated with the combination showed new hair growth covering 67.5% of bald areas, compared to only 25% in mice treated with standard 2% minoxidil solution. Hair began appearing clearly by day 14 in the combination group, and coverage expanded rapidly by day 35. No side effects were reported.
Lead researcher Dr. Leifeng Kang, a pharmacy professor at the University of Sydney, described the findings as “a promising step toward more effective and natural treatments for hair loss that could benefit millions worldwide.”
Published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, the study indicated that steviosides may help the skin absorb more minoxidil, enhancing its potency.
Stevia is used in over 40,000 products worldwide, including low-calorie sodas like Coca-Cola Zero and low-sugar ice cream. However, researchers cautioned that consuming stevia products alone will not promote hair growth; the effect was observed only when the compound was applied directly to the skin with minoxidil.
Experts emphasized that these results are preliminary and limited to animal studies, highlighting the need for human trials to confirm effectiveness.
