Gray hair is often associated with growing older. But there are some people (like me) who started going noticeably gray at a very young age.

Thankfully, I’ve maintained my natural color through the magic of hair dye for decades. But I’m a little less eager to visit the hair salon because of evidence linking regular use of hair dye with an increase in breast cancer risk.

Wouldn’t it be great if all those messy, expensive and potentially toxic trips to the hair salon or the hair dye aisle of the drugstore to cover those grays weren’t necessary?

Luckily, researchers in Japan may have hit upon a solution — and unlike hair dye, this one is all-natural, offering a safe and effective alternative.

The anti-graying power of luteolin

A study led by researchers at Nagoya University explored the effects of three antioxidants — luteolin, hesperetin and diosmetin — on black-furred mice bred to experience graying similar to humans.

The results surprised the researchers. Of the three, only luteolin — found in vegetables such as celery, broccoli, carrots, onions and peppers — appeared to have any impact on the graying effect.

Mice given luteolin retained their black fur, while their untreated counterparts turned gray. The effect was observed regardless of whether the antioxidant was administered internally or externally.

“While we expected that antioxidants may also have anti-graying effects, only luteolin, not hesperetin or diosmetin, demonstrated significant effects,” says study lead Dr. Masashi Kato of Nagoya University. “This finding suggests that luteolin may have a unique medicinal effect that prevents graying.”

The researchers observed a close link between luteolin’s effectiveness and its influence on endothelins, which are proteins that play a crucial role in cellular communication. The study found luteolin treatments preserved the expression of endothelins and their receptor. This action means that the signaling pathways remain healthy, which prevents the decline in melanocyte activity that typically leads to graying.

“Interestingly, luteolin had limited effects on hair cycles, indicating that its primary impact is on pigmentation rather than hair growth or shedding,” Kato says. “This targeted action makes luteolin a particularly intriguing candidate for addressing age-related hair graying.”

These findings and the similarities between the graying processes in the mouse models and humans open the door for potential applications in human hair care.

Given these promising results, study lead Dr. Takumi Kagawa of Nagoya University believes there will be broader applications in age-related research.

“It would be interesting to investigate whether luteolin’s anti-aging effects could also be applicable to other age-related changes, including balding,” Kagawa says.

In fact, luteolin’s potential in age-related research extends beyond hair graying. It could also be beneficial in addressing other age-related issues, such as skin aging and cognitive decline. Further research in these areas could open up new possibilities for its use in anti-aging treatments.

Where to find the anti-graying antioxidant

As research progresses, luteolin could become a key ingredient in hair care regimens, helping individuals preserve their natural hair color as they age.

Until then, if you’re experiencing graying hair and are reluctant to hit the salon, you may want to try eating more luteolin-rich foods like the ones mentioned above. Not only will you potentially preserve your hair color, but you will also reap the anti-inflammatory and memory-boosting benefits of this powerful antioxidant. It can also help with pain relief.

In addition to vegetables, luteolin is found in many herbs used in Chinese traditional medicine, including ginkgo nut, horny goat weed, chrysanthemum, red sage, skull cap and wormwood. It is also available in my favorite healthy oil — olive oil — and peppermint, rosemary and thyme.

The study notes that luteolin is already available as a supplement for both topical and oral use. If you decide to take it as a supplement, make sure it’s of high quality, as some luteolin supplements do not contain the amount they do.

If you are on blood thinners or have kidney disease or type 2 diabetes, it’s probably best to get luteolin from food sources.

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Sources:

Luteolin May Prevent Hair from Graying, Study Finds — Integrative Practitioner

Anti-Graying Effects of External and Internal Treatments with Luteolin on Hair in Model Mice — Antioxidants

Luteolin as a modulator of skin aging and inflammation — Journal Biofactors

Luteolin: A promising natural agent in management of pain in chronic conditions — Frontiers in Pain Research

Luteolin supplements: All that glitters is not gold — BioFactors