Rhubarb: A Miracle Hair Loss Treatment?

Although often served in desserts, rhubarb is technically a vegetable. As a foodstuff, rhubarb regularly falls in and out of favour with people who struggle to tame its sharp taste.

Rhubarb has been a staple element of Arabic and European medical traditions since the Middle Ages. But can rhubarb actually help with hair loss?

Some medical potential

High in anthraquinones, rhubarb is often used as a dieting aid and laxative. These compounds are often extracted from rhubarb and sold as herbal remedies.

In terms of hair loss treatment potential however, rhubarb is not quite so promising. The vegetable is a leading source of non-dairy calcium, providing up to 35% of your recommended daily intake - but this is not likely to help fight hair loss. Rhubarb is also quite low in other nutrients associated with hair growth like iron and vitamin B.

More positive is rhubarb’s high vitamin K content. One cup of cooked rhubarb contains 63% of your daily recommended amount of vitamin K essential to blood clotting and the absorption of other nutrients like vitamin D, which helps regulate hair growth cycles and plays a part in easing the symptoms of scalp conditions like eczema. A lack of vitamin D can have an impact on the health of existing hair, so it is possible that the inclusion of rhubarb in the diet could help guard against this.

More beneficial foodstuffs

Ultimately rhubarb is of little use in the fight against hair loss. If you are looking to boost your hair growth potential through diet, several other foods contain many more essential nutrients.

Hair is composed of protein, so you must consume plenty of foods that are high in protein. Try incorporating Brussel sprouts, kale and walnuts into your diet to ensure you are getting enough of this essential nutrient. Also look out for foods that are high in iron, zinc, magnesium and vitamins A and C. Our exclusive Hair Vitalics nutritional supplements, formulated in our in-house pharmacies, offer a daily dietary boost to keep your hair healthy and, when used in conjunction with an effective hair loss treatment programme, they can also help to stabilise hair loss and encourage regrowth.

Rhubarb can’t hurt, but won’t help much

Adding rhubarb to your diet probably won’t help fight hair loss, but it cannot hurt either. Because the vegetable helps boost uptake of vitamin D, you may seem some additional health benefits, but unfortunately this particular super food is not a super hair loss cure.

If you are concerned about hair loss, you should seek professional assistance in the first instant. A hair loss expert will be able to advise you about the best foods to eat as part of a personalised treatment plan.

Related stories:

Soy's Benefits for Hair Loss Prevention	Medically-Proven, Effective Hair Loss Treatments	Foods That Prevent Hair Loss