Top 5 Foods for Healthy Hair and Hair Growth

Hair doesn’t stop growing and being replaced, new hairs are being created by the follicles from the nutrients in our body. What we eat has an impact on the growth, strength and volume of the hair. Some proteins, minerals, and vitamins are important to have strong and healthy hair. A varied and nutritious diet will definitely boost skin health. The changes to hair will be most noticeable in people who had previous nutrient deficiencies. We have put together 5 of the best foods and nutrients that promote hair growth and keep hair healthy.

1. Fatty Fish

Some people avoid fats at all costs but there are some healthy fats that are an important part of every diet. Such fats are omega-3 fatty acids that are good not only for the hair but the skin, eyes and the heart as well. Fish is a good source of omega-3s and also vitamin D which is another important nutrient in order to have healthy hair. Consuming fish regularly also reduces the risk of various chronic diseases and lowers the risk of heart attacks and strokes by keeping the heart healthy. Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids boosted hair growth by increasing the activity of certain proteins in the body. Daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids could also reduce hair loss.

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2. Eggs

Eggs contain biotin, a mineral that can help boost hair growth. Hair thinning and loss of body hair are usually symptoms of biotin deficiency. Other symptoms of biotin deficiency include rashes on various parts of the body, mainly the face, several types of skin infections and brittle nails. It is rare for people to have biotin deficiency as apart from eggs, biotin is also present in a lot of other foods such as nuts, seeds and vegetables such as spinach and broccoli.

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3. Berries

Berries are loaded with nutrients that promote hair growth- vitamin C is one of them. Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant that helps protect hair follicles against damage caused by harmful molecules in our body. Our body also needs vitamin C to produce collagen, a protein that strengthens hair and prevents it from becoming brittle. Another important thing to note is that, vitamin C helps the body absorb iron from food. Low iron levels can cause anemia which can also lead to hair loss.

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4. Avocados

Avocado is rich in potassium, amino acids and proteins. It is one of the healthiest fruits. The best way you can use it for an almost instant effect on your hair is to use it as a mask. The nutrients present in avocado will give the hair an instant glow. Pollution, exposure to sun and other chemical treatments leave the hair dry and damaged. The vitamins, folic acid, proteins and other goodies present in avocado will bring hair back to life in no time. Mash an avocado and apply to your hair, the nutrients will be absorbed into the scalp and moisturise each hair strand. Your hair will become stronger and healthier.

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5. Nuts

Unless you are allergic to them, nuts contain a variety of nutrients that can promote hair growth. Nuts are tasty and a convenient snack any time of the day. Most nuts contain vitamin E and B, zinc and essential fatty acids, all of which are important for the growth of hair. A deficiency in any of these nutrients can lead to hair loss.

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Apart from the above, there are many other foods that help keep hair healthy and promote hair growth. A lack of the right nutrients including vitamins A - E, zinc, iron, biotin, essential fatty acids and protein can impact hair growth and in some cases can trigger hair loss. Adding the above foods to your diet is easy as most of them can be consumed or used alone. If you are actually having a hair crisis, don’t worry as any deficiency can be corrected when you start eating the right foods.