What you eat really can have a big impact on your hair and how it grows. Very often I see people who are suffering with hair loss and the cause is often due to a poor diet or a deficiency in their diet.
So I thought I would give you my top 10 go-to foods for keeping your hair in top condition.
1. Broccoli
This is my number one food and rightly so. It has so many amazing nutrients and is not only good for your hair but pretty much for your whole body. It is a great source of iron and given that anemia is a common cause of hair loss, this is something we all need to include in our diet. Broccoli is also rich in vitamin C, this helps with the production of collagen which is great for strengthening your hair.
2. Eggs
Eggs are a fantastic source of protein which is essential for healthy hair growth. Hair is produced from cells that multiply very quickly and to do this they need energy which they source from protein in our body. Eggs also contain zinc, biotin and selenium all of which are vital for healthy hair.
3. Spinach
From the amount of spinach Popeye used to eat, he should have had long flowing locks! This is a great plant based source of iron as well as folate, vitamin A and vitamin C. Folate speeds up cell division and helps in the formation of red blood cells, so will be crucial for helping your hair to grow.
4. Nuts (particularly walnuts and almonds)
These are a good source of zinc, which helps keep hormones regulated and helps hair maintain its structure. Hormones can play a big role when it comes to hair loss; any imbalances can impact on the way it grows. Nuts also provide essential fatty acids and B vitamins.
5. Seeds (My go-to are flaxseeds and chia seeds)
I am a massive fan of flaxseeds and all its amazing properties. However, something to remember is to get it in a milled or ground form. This is because if you eat the seed whole it is not absorbed into he body as well as it would be in milled or ground form, and you don't want to miss out on the nutrients! These seeds are a good source of omega-3 which is suitable for vegetarians, this will help keep your hair shiny.
Chia seeds, now these tiny little things are actually a source of iron and promote better circulation of the blood, including to your scalp.
6. Lentils and beans
These are both good sources of protein, especially if you are vegetarian. They include biotin, zinc, iron and folate. Biotin has gained a lot of press about being good for your hair but do we really know why? Biotin is a B vitamin that supports metabolism but more research is needed to find out why it is good for your hair.
7.Blueberries
Blueberries are known for their antioxidant properties but on top of that they are a great source of vitamin C. Vitamin C protects the cells in our body against damage as well as helping the body to absorb iron; all great qualities for hair growth!
8. Avocados
These are great for keeping your hair moisturised and shiny. This is because avocado's are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Who wouldn't want beautiful glossy hair!
9. Sweet potato
This vegetable is rich in Vitamin A. This is needed to make sebum, this is an oily substance made by sebaceous glands to condition our hair and scalp. Without it our hair would be very dry and our scalp very flaky.
10. Oats
Now this may seem a bit odd, as it is not really a normal go-to food to help improve your hair. However, I am a huge fan of oats; they are a great source of fibre which is needed to to keep our gut healthy, as well as containing iron and zinc and we already know they are good for our hair!
You may have noticed that this list does not contain any meat and is based around a vegetarian diet but meat does have valuable nutrients for the body and your hair which include iron, protein and B12. Whatever type of diet you follow it is essential to have a well balanced diet and if you are concerned about your hair to make sure you are including the nutrients mentioned above.
Now get out there and start feeding your hair!
