Gray hair is one of the most visible signs of aging, often considered an unavoidable part of growing older. However, a new study from Nagoya University in Japan suggests that a natural compound found in vegetables might slow down or even prevent the graying process.
Researchers Masashi Kato and Takumi Kagawa have identified luteolin, an antioxidant present in foods like celery, broccoli, carrots, onions, and peppers, as a potential anti-graying agent. Their findings could lead to new hair care treatments that help people keep their natural hair color for longer.
The Study: How Luteolin Prevents Graying
To test whether antioxidants could slow down graying, the researchers studied three different compounds: luteolin, hesperetin, and diosmetin. They used a special type of mice that naturally turn gray as they age, similar to humans.
The results were striking—mice that were given luteolin kept their black fur, while others in the same environment turned gray. This effect was observed whether the luteolin was applied externally or given as a supplement.
Professor Kato expressed his surprise at the findings. “While we expected that antioxidants might have an effect, only luteolin—not hesperetin or diosmetin—showed a significant impact. This suggests that luteolin has a unique ability to prevent graying.”
The researchers believe the reason luteolin is so effective lies in its effect on endothelins, proteins that help regulate cell communication. In aging hair, the loss of these proteins disrupts the function of melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing hair pigment.
This disruption leads to gray hair. However, when the mice were treated with luteolin, the expression of endothelins remained stable, allowing melanocytes to keep producing color.
Interestingly, luteolin did not appear to affect hair growth or shedding, only pigmentation. This means that it works specifically to maintain hair color without altering hair cycles, making it a promising option for those looking to prevent gray hair without changing their hair’s natural growth pattern.
Could Luteolin Work for Humans?
Since the mice in the study experienced graying in a way similar to humans, researchers are optimistic that luteolin could have the same effect in people. What makes this discovery even more exciting is that luteolin is already found in common foods and supplements, meaning it could potentially be used in hair care products or dietary treatments.
If further studies confirm its effectiveness in humans, luteolin could become a key ingredient in hair products designed to prevent graying. People may one day be able to delay gray hair simply by using shampoos or supplements containing luteolin.
Beyond Hair Color: Potential for Anti-Aging Research
While this study focused on gray hair, researchers believe luteolin might have broader anti-aging benefits. Dr. Kagawa, one of the study’s co-authors, suggests that luteolin’s effects should be explored further to see if it could also help with balding or other age-related changes.
As research continues, this natural compound could provide new ways to slow down the visible effects of aging—not just for hair, but potentially for other aspects of health as well. With its presence in everyday vegetables and supplements, luteolin may become an easy and natural way to help people maintain a youthful appearance.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies that vitamin D can help reduce inflammation, and vitamin K may lower your heart disease risk by a third.
For more information about nutrition, please see recent studies about foods that could sharp your brain, and results showing cooking food in this way may raise your risk of blindness.
The research findings can be found in Antioxidants.
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