It is undoubtedly true that today we are surrounded by pollution, we are eating wrong, we don’t have suitable physical activities, and whatnot. But transforming a chaotic lifestyle into a healthy one can do wonders for your hair. Sometimes, no matter what you apply to your hair, your hair will not look healthy if your diet is wrong. It is keratine that forms your hair, and keratine is a form of protein. So, if you consume the necessary amount of protein through your diet, your hair will receive the required aid to become shiny, silky, healthy, and gorgeous. It means it is time for you to give your hair the love it desires and deserves, too. And if you are worried about how to go about it, you will be glad to know that we have got all the information you need here so you can stop wondering. All you have to do is go through this article and get all the necessary details to achieve beautiful and healthy-looking tresses. So, what are you waiting for? Give this article a thorough read. With the information given below, you will surely be able to steal the show. So, without further delay, scroll down and stay put until the end of this piece. Come on now, hurry up!
Best Diet for Hair Growth
1. Fish
We all know that fish is one of the best sources of proteins. Not only that cold-water fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines are very rich in omega-3 fatty acids that offer a natural source of oil to your body and scalp (1) (2). Therefore making your hair silky from within.
2. Nuts and seeds
Vegetarian and don’t know from where to get healthy omega 3 fats from? Well here’s what you can eat. Almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, cashew nuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and most importantly flax seeds. Walnuts are also a good source of vitamin E and biotin that acts as a natural sun shield for your hair. We can apply sunscreen on our skin to protect it from harmful UV rays, but what about hair? Direct exposure of hair to the sun leads to extensive damage and hair fall. But walnuts being rich in biotin prevent hair loss. It has also been found that walnuts contain copper that retains the natural hair color keeping it shiny and lustrous (3).
3. Green leafy vegetables
You have a lot of options in veggies that actually help to retain your beautiful hair. All green leafy vegetables top the list. Green leafy veggies such as green parsley and spinach and plant products (soya, white beans, pasticcio nuts, apricots, and figs) are rich in iron, which prevents hair loss and breakage (4). Therefore, include these foods in your diet for healthy hair growth.
4. Carrots
Carrots are beneficial for not only your eyes but also for your hair (5). Carrots are rich in beta-carotene which transforms into Vitamin A when ingested (6). It is important to note that none of the cells in your body can function without Vitamin A, so it is advised to intake a lot of Vitamin A in your diet. Lack of Vitamin A in foods may lead to hair loss, thinning, and baldness (7). Other options of fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin A are sweet potatoes, yam, pumpkin, mangoes, and apricots.
5. Eggs
A very wholesome food, eggs are a rich source of four major elements, zinc, sulfur, iron, and selenium (8). All these elements are needed for a head full of healthy hair. Eggs are a good source of biotin or vitamin B7, which is an incredible supplement for boosting hair growth. A study shows that chicken eggs can help stimulate hair growth and reverse the effects of hair loss (9). Therefore, deficiency of essential nutrients present in eggs can lead to innumerable hair loss. Other sources of these rich elements are lean meat, poultry, and oysters.
6. Yogurt
Yogurt is the best medicine for treating hair issues. It is rich in vitamin B12, protein, iodine, and calcium (10). A study showed that probiotic yogurt triggered thick, shiny hair growth in female mice (11). Other dairy products like low skimmed milk, cottage cheese, low-fat cheese, and yogurt help improve hair follicles’ health. Yogurt whether applied externally or consumed internally is beneficial for your hair. It is a good conditioner when applied externally. This is another best diet for hair growth faster.
7. Berries
A rich source of Vitamin C, nothing can beat the exotic berries when it comes to consuming Vitamin C. Researchers found that an extract of black raspberry, blueberry, raspberry, and blabina (a concentrated black raspberry extract) promotes hair growth and reverses hair loss effects (12). Tomatoes also function the same way (13). So if you are not a lover of berries, try including tomatoes in your daily diet as salads or curries.
8. Beans and pulses
The beans and pulses we eat every day act like magic to our hair. Being a protein-rich vegetarian diet, beans and pulses also contain biotin which being deficient leads to hair breakage (14). This protein diet for hair growth is also very essential. [ Read: Top 5 Foods For Hair ]
9. Prunes
Known to be a very rich source of iron, prunes are good to have if you suffer from stiff hay-like dry hair, thinning, and hair discoloration (15) (16). It improves your hair quality and adds health to it. In addition to prunes, consider having beetroots too.
[ Read: Carrots For Hair Growth ]
10. Shrimps
Shrimps are a good option to include in the diet chart for hair growth if you are avoiding red meat because of its high-calorie content. Shrimps are also a good and rich source of proteins. Other than that shrimps also contain a good quantity of Vitamin B12, zinc, and iron which can help prevent hair breakage (17).
11. Water:
Drink enough water to keep your skin and scalp hydrated and give natural moisture to your hair.
What not to do:
Spare your hair of all the sprays, mousse, and gels you had been using for so long to set a particular style. You may look good for the night but what about the damage you are exposing your hair to. Please promise to say NO to heat treatments from now on. Do you know how much damage you are causing to your hair by all these artificial heat exposures? The heat steals all the natural moisture from your hair, leaving them as dry as grass. Oil your hair with natural oils like coconut, olive, almond, or castor oil.
What food causes hair loss? Check out the infographic below to learn more about the foods you should consume to achieve a thick, lustrous mane. High glycemic foods, sugar-rich cereals, carbonated drinks, alcohol and junk processed food can all lead to hair loss due to poor diet and nutrition. Does drinking milk cause hair loss? Milk and dairy products may contain high levels of fat which can increase the testosterone levels. Testosterone gets converted into DHT that causes hair loss (18). Is coffee good for the hair? Yes, the caffeine in coffee can stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss (19). Can eating chicken cause hair loss? No, chicken is a protein-rich food and a good source of the amino acid lysine that helps absorption of zinc and iron. All these are important for good hair health. Is curd good for hair? Yes, curd is beneficial for good hair health. It is not only rich in vitamin D and B5 but also helps keep scalp infections away. Is Ginger good for hair? Yes, the active component gingerol in ginger helps relax the blood vessels and boost blood circulation to the scalp, strengtheing the hair roots and follicles (20).
