Sorry, Eating McDonald's French Fries Won't Actually Cure Your Baldness

Talk about throwing salt in a wound.

The Japanese researcher behind a new study that links an ingredient found in McDonaldā€™s French fries with a treatment for baldness admits eating the fries will have no effect whatsoever.

Professor Junji Fukuda of Japanā€™s Yokohama National University said his team was able to mass-prepare thousands of ā€œhair follicle germsā€ in a form of silicone called dimethylpolysiloxane, Science Daily reports. The researchers were able to transplant the cultured follicles onto mice and see further hair growth.

Currently, most existing lab techniques create only about 50 ā€œgermsā€ at once, according to AFP.

This is a potential breakthrough, as the preparation of hair follicle germs on a large scale has previously been a big obstacle to hair regenerative medicine.

McDonaldā€™s uses dimethylpolysiloxane as an anti-foaming agent in its frying oil for French fries, Chicken McNuggets and Filet Oā€™ Fish sandwiches. The foodie blog GrubStreet notes that some outlets are pushing the notion that eating fries might cure baldness thanks to the connection.

Fukuda says the misinterpretation of the research baffles him.

ā€œI have seen online comments asking, ā€˜How many fries would I have to eat to grow my hair?ā€™ā€ he told AFP. ā€œIā€™d feel bad if people think eating something would do that!ā€

Fukuda said the technique might be able to eventually help people with alopecia, male pattern baldness or those whoā€™ve suffered hair loss from cancer treatments, but said human tests probably wonā€™t happen for at least five years.

Also on HuffPost

Lebanese Spiced French Fries

<strong>Get the <a href="https://heatherchristo.com/cooks/2014/03/16/lebanese-spiced-french-fries/" target="_blank">Lebanese Spiced French Fries recipe</a> from Heather Christo</strong>
Get the Lebanese Spiced French Fries recipe from Heather Christo

Baked Chili Cheese Fries With Bacon And Ranch

<strong>Get the <a href="https://bakedbree.com/baked-chili-cheese-fries-with-bacon-and-ranch">Baked Chili Cheese Fries with Bacon and Ranch recipe</a> from Baked Bree</strong>

Herb Salted Garlic Parmesan French Fries

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.howsweeteats.com/2014/08/herbed-salted-garlic-parmesan-french-fries/" target="_blank">Herb Salted Garlic Parmesan French Fries recipe</a> from How Sweet It Is</strong>

Tijuana Street Fries

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/tijuana-street-fries/" target="_blank">Tijuana Street Fries recipe</a> from Half Baked Harvest</strong>
Get the Tijuana Street Fries recipe from Half Baked Harvest

Garlic Cheese Fries

<strong>Get the <a href="https://damndelicious.net/2012/06/21/garlic-cheese-fries/">Garlic Cheese Fries recipe</a> from Damn Delicious</strong>
Get the Garlic Cheese Fries recipe from Damn Delicious

Cheesy Cajun Fries With Grilled Corn Guacamole, Bacon And Fried Eggs

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/cheesy-cajun-fries-with-grilled-corn-guacamole-bacon-and-fried-eggs/" target="_blank">Cheesy Cajun Fries with Grilled Corn Guacamole, Bacon and Fried Eggs recipe</a> from Half Baked Harvest</strong>

Loaded Buffalo Blue Cheese Fries

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.mylifeasamrs.com/2012/10/loaded-buffalo-blue-cheese-fries.html">Loaded Buffalo Blue Cheese Fries recipe</a> from My Life As A Mrs</strong>
Get the Loaded Buffalo Blue Cheese Fries recipe from My Life As A Mrs

Crispy Buffalo Oven Fries

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.howsweeteats.com/2013/03/crispy-buffalo-oven-fries/" target="_blank">Crispy Buffalo Oven Fries recipe</a> from How Sweet It Is </strong>
Get the Crispy Buffalo Oven Fries recipe from How Sweet It Is

Steak And French Fry Salad With Blue Cheese Butter

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/steak-and-french-fry-salad-with-blue-cheese-butter-poached-eggs/" target="_blank">Steak and French Fry Salad with Blue Cheese Butter recipe</a> from Half Baked Harvest</strong>

Mexican Poutine

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.foodiewithfamily.com/2012/10/16/mexican-poutine-sweet-potato-fries-with-chorizo-and-queso-fresco/">Mexican Poutine recipe</a> from Foodie with Family</strong>
Get the Mexican Poutine recipe from Foodie with Family

Double-Baked Fries With Garlic Cheese Sauce And Bacon

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/double-baked-fries-with-garlic-cheese-sauce-and-bacon/" target="_blank">Double-Baked Fries with Garlic Cheese Sauce and Bacon recipe</a> from Half Baked Harvest</strong>

Vegetarian Poutine

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.flourishingfoodie.com/2011/04/vegetarian-poutine.html">Vegetarian Poutine recipe</a> from Flourishing Foodie</strong>
Get the Vegetarian Poutine recipe from Flourishing Foodie

Garlic Butter Sweet Potato Fries With Creamy Feta Dip

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.howsweeteats.com/2013/01/garlic-butter-sweet-potato-fries-with-creamy-feta-dip/">Garlic Butter Sweet Potato Fries with Creamy Feta Dip recipe</a> from How Sweet It Is</strong>

French Fry Bourbon Burgers

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/french-fry-bourbon-burgers/" target="_blank">French Fry Bourbon Burgers recipe</a> from Half Baked Harvest</strong>
Get the French Fry Bourbon Burgers recipe from Half Baked Harvest

French Fries With Debris Gravy And Cheese

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.tillamook.com/kitchen/recipes/French-Fries-with-Debris-Gravy-and-Cheese-34-recipe.html#.UGNNXnBy7tI.pinterest">French Fries with Debris Gravy and Cheese recipe</a> from Tillamook</strong>

Sweet Potato Fries With Gouda Sauce

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.healthyfoodforliving.com/gouda-sauce-for-sweet-potato-cheese-fries/">Sweet Potato Fries</a> with Gouda Sauce from Healthy Food For Living</strong>
Get the Sweet Potato Fries with Gouda Sauce from Healthy Food For Living

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.