By incorporating healthy eating habits and making sure you eat nutrient-rich foods that target specific deficiencies, you can improve the appearance, texture and overall condition of your hair in a jiffy.
When it comes to a healthy body, there are dozens of foods that are chock full of the vital Vitamins and minerals that we need for good health. When it comes to healthy hair, these 6 specific foods stand out above the rest.
1. Chickpeas
Toss them in a salad or grind them up to make some fresh hummus. Eat them however you like…just eat them. Why? High in folate and zinc, chickpeas are full of iron-fortified, non-animal protein. Protein is essential for hair growth. And chickpeas are full of keratins–hardened proteins that coat the hair, keeping it strong and protecting it from breakage.2. Chicken
But not just any chicken… The non-fried, non-breaded, non-fast food kind. For healthier hair, throw a piece of boneless, skinless chicken breast on the grill. Whether you eat your chicken hot off the grill or slice it up and toss it on top of a fresh greens salad, this high protein dish provides an abundance of the B Vitamins folate, B6 and B12.These Vitamins are crucial for maintaining healthy hair. Without them, you will not produce enough red blood cells to transport oxygen and other nutrients throughout the body. Without the proper delivery of nutrients, the scalp and hair follicles are left weak and starved, which leads to slow or stunted hair growth, shedding and weak strands.
3. Beans
Legumes, like lentils and kidney beans, are an important part of healthy hair care because they are full of folate and iron, 2 nutrients that play an important role in producing and maintaining healthy locks.The B Vitamin folate is important because it helps to produce red blood cells. Iron is what helps those blood cells transport oxygen and other nutrients throughout the body. Hair loss is a common symptom of iron-deficiency anemia, a condition in which there is not enough iron to deliver nutrients to the cells in the body. Add this iron-rich food to your diet to prevent hair loss and strengthen your tresses.
4. Strawberries
Move over oranges, there's a new fruit in town. The high level of Vitamin C in strawberries helps to keep collagen healthy. Collagen is the fiber that maintains the hair structure, prevents split ends and strengthens strands. A Vitamin C deficiency, even if it is mild, can cause hair to dry out and split at the ends, making it more susceptible to breakage. All it takes is 8 strawberries to meet the recommended daily allowance for Vitamin C, so eat up.5. Peanuts
Another B Vitamin, biotin is important for hair growth and a healthy scalp. Because our bodies naturally produce biotin, an actual deficiency is unlikely. With that said, it can't hurt to fill up on some biotin-rich foods to boost your overall hair health. The number one choice? Peanuts. Not only are they full of biotin, they are also high in folate, giving them an extra healthy hair boost.6. Kale
Kale is an iron-rich food that is also very high in Beta carotene. Beta carotene is converted by the body into Vitamin A. This important Vitamin helps improve hair health in 2 ways.First, Vitamin A is essential for cell growth and replenishment. This includes the cells of the scalp. If scalp cells cannot regenerate, you are left with dull, limp hair and a dry, itchy scalp. Second, Vitamin A is responsible for the production of sebum. Sebum is an oily substance that is produced by the hair follicles and is nature's own conditioning treatment for the hair.
The best way to improve the health of your hair is to eat a healthy diet. Stocking up on food for healthy hair can improve the condition of your hair in a relatively short amount of time. The combination of high quality proteins, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and legumes will ensure your hair is receiving all the nutrients it needs to be healthy and strong.
