Ingredient guide

Pea Sprout Extract (AnaGain): Hair Growth and Evidence

Pea sprout extract, branded AnaGain, is a hair-growth ingredient from sprouted peas. Small manufacturer trials, topical and oral, report more hair growth. The evidence is early, limited, and largely tied to the ingredient maker.

Limited evidence

Benefits

  • Small trials report a better balance of growing versus resting hairs.
  • An oral trial linked a daily dose with increased hair density.
  • Derived from sprouted peas, a natural source of nutrients and plant compounds.
  • Generally well tolerated in the studies to date.

Evidence summary

What pea sprout extract is

Pea sprout extract is a water-based extract made from the sprouted seeds of the garden pea, Pisum sativum. It is sold mainly under the brand name AnaGain as a hair-growth ingredient, appearing in both topical scalp products and oral supplements. Sprouted peas are rich in nutrients and plant signalling compounds.

How pea sprout extract works

Hair grows in cycles, alternating between a growing phase and a resting phase. The idea behind pea sprout extract is that its compounds nudge more follicles into the growing phase. Laboratory work points to effects on growth-signalling pathways and growth factors in the follicle, which would tip the balance toward active growth.

What the human research shows

The trials are small and encouraging. In a study using a topical gel twice daily for three months, pea sprout extract improved the ratio of growing to resting hairs in people with mild to moderate hair loss. A separate clinical trial reported that 100 mg of the oral extract daily for eight weeks increased hair density.

The honest caveat is independence and scale. Much of the supporting research comes from the ingredient manufacturer, and the studies are small. We grade the human evidence as limited. Pea sprout extract is a promising, well-tolerated hair ingredient, but it lacks the large, independent trials that would make it a proven choice.

What we still do not know

  • Whether the benefits hold up in large, independent trials.
  • How it compares with established hair-loss options.
  • How long results last once you stop using it.

How people take pea sprout extract

Oral studies used 100 mg per day, while topical products use about a 4 percent gel twice daily for around three months. Because hair loss has many causes, some needing specific medical care, it is worth seeing a doctor or dermatologist rather than relying on a supplement alone. Remember that generic pea products are not the studied extract.

Dosage & safety

Dosage

An oral trial used 100 mg of pea sprout extract per day for 8 weeks. Topical products use around a 4 percent gel applied twice daily for about 3 months. Doses follow the specific branded extract. Ask your healthcare provider before relying on it for hair loss.

Side effects

  • Generally well tolerated in the trials reported.
  • Topical use can occasionally cause scalp irritation.
  • Long-term safety has not been widely studied.

Interactions

  • No well-documented drug interactions, but tell your healthcare provider about any supplement you take.

Warnings

  • Speak with a doctor or dermatologist about hair loss before relying on a supplement, since some causes need specific medical care.
  • Be aware that most pea sprout hair research comes from the ingredient maker, so independent evidence is limited.
  • Do not expect a generic pea product to match the specific branded extract used in studies.

Products with this ingredient

Related ingredient guides

Citations

  1. Clinical evaluation of pea sprout extract in the treatment of hair loss ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. Pea sprout extract promotes hair follicle regeneration via anagen prolongation ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Pea sprout extract promotes hair follicle regeneration pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Frequently asked questions

Does pea sprout extract regrow hair?

Small trials, both topical and oral, report more hair growth and a better growing-to-resting hair ratio. The evidence is early and limited, so results vary.

What is AnaGain?

AnaGain is the brand name for a pea sprout extract used in hair products. It is the specific ingredient tested in most of the available hair-growth studies.

How long until pea sprout extract works?

Trials ran for about 8 weeks to 3 months. Hair changes are slow, so give it at least a couple of months before judging the effect.

Is pea sprout extract proven for hair loss?

Not firmly. The studies are small and mostly come from the ingredient maker, so independent confirmation is still limited. See a dermatologist for persistent hair loss.