The overall health of your hair is influenced by more than just the products you use; what you eat plays a significant role too. Making simple changes to your diet and eating foods with certain essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins can have a big impact on your hair’s health. Including foods that are full of nutrients in your diet can boost things like hair growth, strength, and shine. These are 18 of the best foods to eat to get healthy hair.
Spinach
YouGov says that “a recent YouGov poll found that twice as many Americans prefer spinach rather than kale for nutrition, and spinach beats kale for taste in a rout.” Did you know that spinach is also good for your hair? Spinach is rich in iron, which helps red blood cells carry oxygen to hair follicles, as well as vitamins A and C, which are essential for sebum production to keep hair moisturized.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants that improve blood flow to the scalp, which is important for growth, shine, and volume. This type of chocolate also contains copper, which promotes hair pigmentation and prevents premature graying. Rich in iron and zinc, dark chocolate supports the healthy growth of your hair too. Who knew you could get such great hair health benefits from this delicious snack?
Nuts and Seeds
All sorts of different nuts and seeds have a wide variety of benefits for the health of your hair. The nutrients in various nuts and seeds help with things like improving the health of your scalp, increasing shine, and reducing inflammation. Almonds and walnuts are rich in biotin, which promotes hair strength and growth. Also, flaxseeds and chia seeds provide omega-3 fatty acids, and these are good for hair hydration and shine.
Berries
Berries are delicious fruits that benefit your health in many ways. Full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, berries are great for your hair’s health too! Berries are loaded with vitamin C, which helps your body produce collagen and strengthens your hair. This tasty fruit’s high levels of antioxidants also help protect hair follicles from damage. On top of this, berries contain other vitamins and minerals that promote the overall health of your hair.
Green Tea
We all feel healthy when we drink green tea, but I bet you didn’t know that it improves the health of your hair. Green tea contains catechins that reduce dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a cause of hair loss. This drink is also rich in antioxidants that promote a healthy scalp, and it improves blood circulation to hair follicles and enhances hair growth. If you want a luscious and thick head of hair, just drink green tea!
Sweet Potatoes
You should include sweet potatoes in your diet if you want to get healthy hair, as they provide many vitamins and nutrients that benefit hair health. Sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene, which your body converts to vitamin A, promoting the health of your scalp. These veggies also contain vitamins C and E that support hair growth and repair, and they provide antioxidants to protect your hair from damage.
Kiwi
Kiwis are abundant in vitamin C, which is essential for the production of collagen and strengthening your hair. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “a single kiwi will deliver more of this nutrient than two oranges.” As well as vitamin C, kiwis contain vitamin E which promotes the healthy growth of your hair. The antioxidants in kiwis also protect your hair cells from damage. Kiwis are a great fruit to include in your diet to improve your hair’s health.
Carrots
Similarly to sweet potatoes, carrots are known for their high beta-carotene content, which is an essential nutrient for scalp health, as it encourages sebum production and keeps your scalp and hair hydrated. Carrots also contain antioxidants that protect your hair against damage from the environment and help keep it healthy and shiny. Carrots are rich in vitamins K and C too, and these promote the healthy growth and repair of your hair.
Salmon
If healthy hair is what you’re looking for, give salmon a go! Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids that help keep your hair hydrated and beautifully shiny. This fish is also rich in protein, which is essential for hair growth and strength. As it contains vitamin D, salmon can support the health of your hair follicles too. Lucky for us, salmon is delicious and can be used in so many different recipes and dishes.
Beans
Beans are a versatile food that can be included in many different dishes to help improve the health of your hair. As they’re high in protein, beans can encourage the growth and strength of your hair. Beans are also rich in iron and zinc, which are essential for maintaining healthy hair. As the cherry on the top, beans contain a vitamin called biotin that supports overall hair health and prevents breakage.
Pumpkin Seeds
Loaded with zinc, pumpkin seeds can be excellent for your hair’s growth and repair. These seeds are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are a blessing for your hair, as they help keep your scalp and hair hydrated. As well as this, pumpkin seeds contain iron and magnesium, and these nutrients are essential for the general health of your hair. You could add pumpkin seeds to granola or oatmeal, include them in salads, or blend them into smoothies to reap their rewards.
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt provides a wide range of health benefits for so many different parts of your body including your hair! Greek yogurt is known to be high in protein, vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), and probiotics. These nutrients have a variety of benefits on your hair’s health, such as strengthening your hair and promoting its growth, improving the health of your scalp, and supporting the overall health of your hair.
Oysters
Extremely high in zinc, oysters are crucial to include in your diet to help your hair growth and repair. Verywell Health reports that “some research has shown that a zinc deficiency can lead to hair loss.” Oysters are loaded with protein too, which is known to support the strength and structure of your hair. The iron and omega-3 fatty acids found in oysters can also promote healthy hair follicles.
Lentils
Including lentils in your diet can greatly improve your hair’s health. Lentils are another food that’s rich in protein and iron, so they can help boost the strength and growth of your hair. Lentils are also high in folic acid, which supports the health of the red blood cells that supply hair follicles. The zinc and biotin in lentils can further contribute to the general good health of your hair.
Eggs
Eggs are a staple in most people’s diets, but little do these people know how good they are for the health of your hair. High in protein and biotin, eggs are crucial for hair growth and strength. Eggs also contain vitamin C, which supports the health of your hair follicles. On top of all this, eggs provide essential amino acids that promote hair health. Now, next time you eat eggs, you’ll know how they’re helping your hair!
Lean Poultry
Lean poultry, for example, boneless skinless chicken breasts, turkey cutlets, and ground chicken are good for your hair. This type of meat is packed with high-quality protein, which can greatly benefit your hair growth and repair. Lean poultry is also a good source of iron and zinc, and these nutrients are vital for maintaining healthy hair follicles. Rich in B vitamins too, lean poultry helps support your overall hair health.
Avocado
Avocados might be one of the trendiest fruits at the moment, but their benefits for your hair’s health are typically overlooked. Avocados are rich in healthy fats and vitamin E, meaning they can increase the hydration of your hair and its natural shine. This fruit also contains biotin, which is essential for hair growth and making your hair strong. Try adding avocado to your diet to take advantage of these benefits.
Red Pepper
If you want beautiful, healthy hair, you should try eating some red peppers every now and again! Red peppers are packed full of vitamin C and contain high amounts of vitamin A and antioxidants too. These beneficial vitamins and nutrients help your hair in a variety of ways by encouraging collagen production for hair strength, promoting scalp health and hair growth, and protecting your hair follicles from damage.
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