The recipe for achieving your best hair has a number of ingredients and none of those ingredients would be more important than having a balanced and healthy diet. To ensure that your hair is healthy from the start, you need a diet that gives your body all the nutrients it needs in the quantities they are needed. Any deficiencies in your diet will manifest itself in unhealthy hair and scalp since the body will withhold nutrients from these areas in order to prevent key processes from being impacted. A balanced diet will do wonders for your hair which means the best thing you can do for your hair is to improve your overall health. Nothing you can put on top of your hair is going to have as much of an impact on your hair as the things you actually put into your body.
Fats, vitamins, essential proteins, carbohydrates, and minerals all contain nutrients that can keep your hair growing long and strong. Superfoods like avocado, coconut oil, honey, etc. are great and should be included in your daily diet and as an added benefit can be added to the hair for short term improvements. It is also critical to ensure your body is thoroughly hydrated as well in order to help your body and hair’s overall health. With these things in mind, let’s look at 5 foods and how they can aid in faster hair growth.
Fish
Fish is a great source of omega 3-fatty acids that are great for not just hair growth but for your body’s overall health. Fatty acids are known for reducing inflammation which can impede hair growth. They will also help to reduce any itchiness that results from a dry scalp. Fish is also high in protein, the major component of hair, rich in vitamin D, selenium, and vitamin B all of which help promote healthy hair growth.
Eggs
Hair is predominantly protein and a diet that provides the body with enough protein is a good place to start in order to ensure healthy hair growth. But eggs also contain minerals and vitamins including biotin that help to stimulate new hair growth, thicken hair and strengthen strands at their roots. The protein in eggs strengthens the hair while the fats provide conditioning benefits so that your hair’s texture and elasticity is improved.
Dark Leafy Green Vegetables
Leafy greens are chock full of nutrients, fiber, and anti-oxidants. Vitamins A and C can be found in dark green leafy greens and are important for hair growth. Greens also contain iron which is essential for proper blood oxygenation and therefore a healthy circulation. This is important because proper circulation to the scalp is important for hair growth. Eating your greens can save you money in purchasing multivitamins and can save you from buying hair products as well.
Seeds and Nuts
Nuts and seeds are really high in vitamins B and E. They also contain potassium, zinc, copper, iron, calcium, and protein. All of which play key roles in hair growth. Seeds and nuts are also rich in phytochemicals, a group of antioxidants, which are important for fighting inflammation and free radical damage.
Many seeds and nuts contain arginine, an amino acid needed for maintaining healthy blood vessels, which are of course essential for proper circulation to all areas of the body including the scalp. Zinc, which has been mentioned above is important for tissue repair so that hair can not only grow, but also that the new growth can be retained.
Nuts to try: almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews
Seeds to try: flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, and sunflower seeds
Blueberries
Blueberries are a fantastic food/fruit for snackers because they are convenient and healthy. These tiny superfoods are a great source of antioxidants, vitamin K, vitamin C, fiber, and manganese. They improve blood oxygenation and circulation which makes for a healthier scalp and nourished hair follicles, a combination required in order for your hair to thrive.
The important thing when it comes to eating for hair growth is to eat a diet that will keep your entire body healthy and nourished. Once you do that, your body will do the rest and your hair will flourish.
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