A new study suggests that a familiar sweetener could have benefits beyond satisfying your sweet tooth—it may also help promote hair growth when used with existing treatments. Researchers found that stevioside, the natural compound behind stevia’s sweetness, improved the effectiveness of minoxidil, the active ingredient in widely used hair loss products like Rogaine.
Published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, the pre-clinical study tested a combination of stevioside and minoxidil on mice. Scientists developed dissolving microneedle patches containing both compounds. These tiny needles painlessly pierce the scalp, delivering minoxidil directly to deeper layers, where it’s absorbed more efficiently.
“Minoxidil alone often struggles to penetrate the scalp effectively, and results can take months to appear,” explains Marisa Garshick, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “Stevioside may help improve solubility, allowing more of the medication to reach hair follicles.”
In lab tests, the addition of stevioside increased minoxidil’s solubility by up to 18 times. In mice, the patches led to faster, thicker hair growth over five weeks compared with regular minoxidil treatment.
Nutrition expert Lauren Manaker, R.D., emphasizes that simply consuming stevia won’t trigger hair growth. “The study involved topical application, not ingestion. Adding stevia to coffee or tea won’t make your hair grow,” she notes.
While the findings are promising, Dr. Garshick cautions that larger studies—including human trials—are needed to confirm the results. Differences in hair growth cycles between mice and humans may affect how effective this method will be for people.
In the meantime, experts recommend focusing on a balanced diet with protein, keratin, and vitamin D to support healthy hair growth. If future research confirms these results, stevioside could play a role in next-generation hair loss treatments—a sweet development for those seeking fuller hair.
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