According to a recent study, a plant compound contained in this variety of vegetables could slow the appearance of gray hair.
Gray hair is often perceived as a natural sign of aging, but did you know that your diet can play a key role in their existence? Some studies show that many vegetables can help slow this process and even preserve the natural color of hair longer.
The graying of hair is mainly caused by the decrease in melanin production, the pigment responsible for hair color. This phenomenon is linked to aging, but also to other factors such as stress, nutritional deficiencies, hormones and exposure to free radicals that can speed up this process. A December 2024 study, published in the journal Antioxidants And made on mice, highlighted that luteoline, a plant compound with antioxidant effects could remove the graying process of hair. “The results are fascinating, especially since luteoline is very present in human food”told the magazine Health, Joe McCord, biochemist and professor of medicine. Before adding that “This compound could be a candidate of choice for future anti-aging research. ” Indeed, after 16 weeks, the mice treated with luteoline have retained more dark fur than the others. This compound would have a positive effect on endotheline proteins which aim to maintain melanocytes, cells that contain hair pigmentation. The more melanocytes you have, the more color you have in your hair and therefore less gray.
So where to find this famous antioxidant? Simply in your diet! It is present in certain green vegetables such as broccoli or spinach for example. But, not only … “There are many food sources of Luteoline, including celery, green pepper, carrots, olive oil, thyme, beets, Brussels cabbage, cauliflower, peppers, lettuce …” specifies Toby Amidor, dietitian. But, if this discovery is a great advance for research against aging in humans, we unfortunately cannot say, for the moment, that these results are transposable in humans. Indeed, the graying of hair is explained by different factors, such as genetics for example, which is not the case in mice.
However, integrating fruits and vegetables into your daily diet is completely recommended. They can help maintain the vitality of your hair. So why not start including these foods today in your diet?
