You are what you eat, right? You may be surprised to learn that your hair benefits from everything you put in your mouth as well.
Generally speaking you'll want to look for foods high in lean protein, vitamin A, zinc, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and calcium for the healtiest hair and scalp. In addition to using the right shampoo, getting regular haircuts, and maintaining healthy hair from spring to winter these healthy hair foods can help you achieve better, stronger, shinier, thicker hair from the inside out.
The Power of Protein
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High quality, lean protein is one of the best nutrients for great hair. Hair is, after all, made of protein. It takes good, healthy sources of protein to make great healthy hair. Chicken, turkey, fish, and eggs are great sources of protein and can help you prevent weak, brittle hair.
Beans, Beans the Magical Fruit...
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Turns out, beans are magical for more reasons than you might think. Protein, iron, and zinc are all found in legumes (kidney beans, lima beans, pinto beans, etc.) and promote optimal hair growth and health. Beans are also a good source of biotin, which in cases of a deficiency could cause brittle hair.
Go Green
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Going green isn't just a trend for a healthier planet, keeping green leafy veggies in your diet is a healthy boost for your hair too. Besides being full of calcium and iron, dark green veggies like spinach, broccoli, kale, and salad greens also provide Vitamins A and C which are necessary for your sebum production.
Got Milk?
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Low-fat dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese are packed with calcium, which is a necessary mineral for optimal hair growth (not to mention they're a good source of protein too).
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
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Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for optimal scalp health. A healthy scalp is directly related to healthy hair. Fish (salmon, herring, tuna, mackerel, sardines, bluefish), flaxseed, canola oil, pumpkin seeds and walnuts are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
Nuts
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You probably are already aware that nuts are like nature's super snack. It turns out that they're also great for your hair's health. Grab a handful of Brazil nuts, which are packed with the nutrient selenium that's optimal for a healthy scalp. Many nuts are a great source of zinc, and if you happened to be running low on zinc you may notice increased hair shedding. Yikes.
