Taking proper care of your hair from the outside is extremely important, but it’s just as important to nourish your hair from the inside too. The foods you put into your body play a major role in your health, and hair health is no exception. Our hair requires minerals, vitamins, proteins and antioxidants to stay strong and nourished. Without these things, hair can become brittle, damaged and even fall out. Want to know the best foods for hair growth? We’ve got you covered!
3 Healthy Hair Tips and Hacks
1. Condition with Care
Conditioning your hair is an essential part of keeping your hair healthy, shiny and strong. Always condition your hair after shampooing it, applying it to the mid-shaft and ends of your hair and working your way up to the scalp. It’s important your scalp gets hydration as well. Leave it on for at least one full minute before washing it out.
2. Incorporate Hair Masks Into Your Routine
Use a hydrating hair mask at least once a week, and more if you use hot hair tools frequently. They’ll help nourish your hair, strengthen your strands and improve the health of your scalp. They’re especially beneficial for dry, damaged or frizzy hair, and will boost the condition of your hair all around.
3. Pay Attention to Ingredients
The main ingredients in your hair products can make a big difference to the health of your hair. You want to look for key ingredients that are both strengthening and moisturizing. Be on the look out for ingredients like coconut oil, argan oil, aloe vera or spirulina to reap the most hair-loving benefits.
12 Best Foods for Hair Growth
1. Avocados
Avocados are an excellent source of healthy fats, which are essential to hair health. Since our bodies can’t produce omega-3 fatty acids on their own, it’s important we get them from our diet. Omega-3 fatty acids nourish hair follicles, making them strong and shiny, plus they stimulate hair growth. Avocados are also a rich source of vitamin E, which helps protect the scalp from oxidative stress and damage, promoting growth.
2. Spinach
Spinach is packed with vitamins and minerals such as folate, iron and vitamins A and C. Vitamin A helps the skin glands produce sebum, an oily substance that moisturizes the scalp to keep hair healthy. Spinach is also an amazing plant-based source of iron, which helps boost circulation and carries oxygen to your hair’s roots. Plus, iron deficiencies have been linked to hair loss.
3. Eggs
Our hair is made up of protein, so it’s important to fill our bodies with healthy protein sources, such as eggs. A lack of protein has been shown to contribute to hair loss, so work eggs into your meals when you can. Eggs are also a great source of biotin, which is essential for the production of a hair protein called keratin.
4. Berries
Berries are packed with health benefits that can boost hair growth. They’re a great source of vitamin C, which the body uses to produce collagen. Collagen is a protein that helps strengthen hair to prevent it from breaking. Vitamin C also helps the body absorb iron, which is essential for hair health. Berries are also rich in antioxidants, which ward off free radicals that can damage your skin’s natural collagen supply.
5. Legumes
Legumes contain hair-loving vitamins and minerals like zinc, iron and the hair holy biotin. Biotin strengthens the structure of keratin, which makes up our hair, skin and nails. It makes hair stronger, more resistant to brittleness and breaking, and thicker in appearance. Legumes are also a great source of protein.
6. Salmon
Salmon and other fatty fish are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, protein and B vitamins. B vitamins are excellent for your hair, stimulating growth and helping to keep it healthy and nourished.
7. Chicken
Chicken (especially grilled) is one of the best sources of B vitamins like biotin and niacin, and is a great source of protein, helping strengthen fragile hair. Protein acts as the building blocks to all our cells and our hair follicles are mostly made of protein.
8. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are chock full of beta carotene, the precursor for vitamin A that promotes a healthy scalp and also promotes hair growth. Vitamin A encourages the production of sebum, which keeps hair healthy. It also speeds up the rate of hair growth and encourages the growth of thicker hair, while preventing hair follicles from regressing.
9. Nuts
Nuts, particularly almonds and walnuts have an impressive amount of biotin, so are great for hair growth and preventing hair loss. Nuts also contain a good dose of vitamin E, an antioxidant that nourishes the hair and scalp. On top of that, they provide a wide variety of B vitamins, zinc and essential fatty acids. A deficiency in any of these has been linked to hair loss.
10. Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are rich in protein, healthy fats and zinc, so are excellent for hair health. They’re also high in antioxidants, which reduce premature signs of aging such as hair loss. They’re a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, as well as copper and zinc, which alleviate thinning hair and aid in repairing damaged strands.
11. Bone Broth
Bone broth is one of the best sources of collagen you can eat. Although our bodies produce collagen naturally, it declines as we age, so it’s important that we supplement it through our diet. Along with collagen, bone broth is full of nutrients, amino acids, proteins and minerals that your hair loves and needs.
12. Bell Peppers
Bell peppers are a great source of vitamin C. In fact, one yellow pepper contains 5.5 times as much vitamin C as an orange. Vitamin C helps promote collagen production and is a powerful antioxidant, which protects hair strands against oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is linked to hair loss and greying. Bell peppers are also rich in fibre, which is great for your hair.
Enhance your hair health with these 12 foods and notice your strands getting stronger, silkier and less prone to breakage. Take care of your hair and your hair is sure to love you back!
