Ingredient in McDonald’s French Fries Could Cure Baldness

Ew, or who knew?

By Nina Zipkin Feb 05, 2018
Zhang Peng | Getty Images

While McDonald’s french fries are scientifically engineered to be delicious, it seems that one of the ingredients might have another slightly unexpected use.

A team of researchers from Japan’s Yokohama National University explored methods to treat hair loss and found that when they used a chemical called dimethylpolysiloxane (PDMS) as part of the therapy, they found successful sites of successful hair growth on the mice used in the study.

That chemical isn’t just available in a lab. It is used in all of McDonald’s fried offerings.

Related: McDonald’s Unveils the ‘Frork,’ a ‘Flavor-Focused’ Utensil

When you head over to the McDonald’s website to do some product research, it is available in the fine print at the bottom of the page: “Our fried menu items are cooked in a vegetable oil blend with citric acid added as a processing aid and dimethylpolysiloxane to reduce oil splatter when cooking.”

Apparently it isn’t only the fries recipe that contains the chemical. It is also found in makeup, hair conditioner, caulk that you would use for bathroom tile, silicone implants and Silly Putty.

Makes you think, doesn’t it?

While McDonald’s french fries are scientifically engineered to be delicious, it seems that one of the ingredients might have another slightly unexpected use.

A team of researchers from Japan’s Yokohama National University explored methods to treat hair loss and found that when they used a chemical called dimethylpolysiloxane (PDMS) as part of the therapy, they found successful sites of successful hair growth on the mice used in the study.

That chemical isn’t just available in a lab. It is used in all of McDonald’s fried offerings.

Related: McDonald’s Unveils the ‘Frork,’ a ‘Flavor-Focused’ Utensil

When you head over to the McDonald’s website to do some product research, it is available in the fine print at the bottom of the page: “Our fried menu items are cooked in a vegetable oil blend with citric acid added as a processing aid and dimethylpolysiloxane to reduce oil splatter when cooking.”

Apparently it isn’t only the fries recipe that contains the chemical. It is also found in makeup, hair conditioner, caulk that you would use for bathroom tile, silicone implants and Silly Putty.

Makes you think, doesn’t it?

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Nina Zipkin

Staff Writer. Covers leadership, media, technology and culture. at Entrepreneur Media
Entrepreneur Staff
Nina Zipkin is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com. She frequently covers leadership, media, tech, startups, culture and workplace trends.

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