8 Great Foods for Super Healthy Hair
Remember when we thought that all you need is a good sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair in tip-top shape? Well, the tides have changed, and more than ever before, scientists are finding that the foods we eat have a much bigger impact on the health of our hair, skin, and nails than we once believed. A healthy head of hair starts with what you put in your body. A balanced variety of whole foods, abundant in vitamins and minerals, can make you feel great from the inside out. You will see healthier and stronger hair when you include the following eight foods in your diet:
- Eggs are an excellent source of protein - the building block of hair. If we don’t get enough protein, our hair grows more slowly and becomes weak. Incorporating even a small amount in every meal can do wonders for increasing the health of your hair. If you’re vegan, you have options too! There is plenty of protein in nuts, beans, quinoa etc. Eggs also contain a decent amount of zinc, which helps fight against dry hair and flaky scalp.
- Carrots contain a good amount of vitamin A, which assists in the formation of sebum oil in the scalp. Good sebum production helps keep the scalp and hair well moisturized.
- Dark Leafy Greens. Adding spinach, kale, swiss chard and other leafy vegetables to your diet will supply your body with iron, folate, vitamin C, and beta-carotene. This is a potent blend of hair health nutrients that will stimulate growth, promote hydration, increase circulation, and maintain color and shine. These types of vegetables also contain methylsulfonylmethane, which sounds scary, but really just helps in the production of keratin, the main protein of which hair is made.
- Salmon is just bursting with Omega-3 fatty acids. These oils play a significant role in hair health by keeping your skin and hair properly hydrated and are an essential part of cell membranes found on the scalp. Our bodies can’t create these fatty acids, yet they make up between 2-3% of our hair. If you’re looking to increase your intake of Omega-3’s, try some sashimi! Pro-tip: You’ll absorb more of the nutrients eating it raw.
- Walnuts are a fantastic source of biotin, which is a water-soluble B-vitamin that is great for scalp and hair health. Walnuts are also the only type of nut that provides omega-3 fatty acids.
- Avocados are delicious (AMIRITE?!) and are also rich in vitamin B and E, which makes the scalp healthy and stimulates the hair to grow faster. Avocados are also high in monounsaturated fats that help to moisturize the scalp and hair follicles and keep the hair naturally conditioned and shiny.
- Oysters are a great source of zinc, which not only helps keep your hair shiny but also keeps your nails and eyes healthy as well. Go ahead, treat yourself to a platter.
- Water!. This list would not be complete without good ol' H2O, which...isn't technically isn’t a food but is arguably the most important item on this list. Water will hydrate the scalp and ensure proper circulation of blood, thus helping vital nutrients find their way to your hair. Drinking 8-10 glasses a day is not only amazing for your hair, it is great for your body as well.
Bonus: Here’s one more tip that you can do to increase your hair health:
Mix about a 50/50 ratio of apple cider vinegar to water and apply to your hair before, after, and occasionally in place of shampooing (the scent will disappear once your hair dries). Doing this on a weekly basis will give you both incredible shine and volume.
Eating a diet rich in the vegetables and proteins listed above is one of the most effective ways of keeping your hair incredibly healthy (and your skin and nails too!). Try it out for a week or two and let us know how shiny your hair is after! Opt for at least 3-4 servings of vegetables a day. If your dinner plate looks like a rainbow, you’re doing it right. Bon Appetit!
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The Glossary - Small Business Profile: Margot Greer, Founder of Woven - Chicago
Hey Margot! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Hi! I’m Margot Greer. I’m from the south side of Chicago. I'm a dog lover, plant enthusiast and yoga teacher. I’m also the founder of a socially responsible hair extension company called Woven. Woven provides high quality, ethically sourced hair to women and aims to use a portion of profits to support women with medically induced hair loss.
