Almost everyone wants strong and healthy hair that features a movie star shine. When your hair is at its best, you feel your best, at least if you’re like 81% of women across the country. For many people, having long, flowing locks is the dream.
Although you can’t control factors such as genetics or age, one thing you do have control over is your diet. The foods you eat have an enormous impact on many different aspects of your health, including your hair and how fast it grows.
Keep reading for a list of fifteen amazing hair growth foods that you won’t have to pinch your nose to eat.
- Berries
Aside from being delicious, berries contain loads of healthy vitamins and nutrients. Many of these are fantastic for hair growth.
Free radicals are a type of molecule that exists in the environment and your body. Although they’re natural, they can harm your body in a number of different ways. So how can you prevent them from causing damage? One way is through antioxidants.
Antioxidants prevent free radicals from doing their dirty work by breaking them down. They can also give you better skin, as well as healthier, longer hair.
Berries contain vitamin C, which has lots of antioxidants. Eating berries helps to protect your hair against the damage from free radicals. The vitamin C present also stimulates the production of collagen, a protein that strengthens your hair and can stop it from breaking.
Including nutrient-rich foods in your diet is key to supporting healthy hair growth; for more hair care insights, check out resources like Spoild.
- Fish
Experts have known about the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for some time now. With regards to your hair, omega-3 fatty acids can prevent hair loss, increase hair density, and help it grow longer.
Certain types of fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, as well as other types of healthy nutrients. Salmon, mackerel, and herring are three great (and delicious) types of fish to choose from.
Aside from containing these acids, fatty fish also contain plenty of protein, vitamins (such as D3 and B), and selenium. All of these can help you grow and maintain strong, healthy hair.
- Eggs
There are dozens of different ways to enjoy eating eggs, making them a convenient way to get the benefits they offer without feeling bored.
Eggs are full of protein and biotin, two nutrients that your body needs to grow out a head of flowing hair. Hair follicles contain a lot of protein, which is why when you don’t get enough, you can experience hair loss.
Biotin can also help you get nice, thick hair. Eggs are one way to get a lot of biotin, or you can look into different vitamins that work.
Eggs also come loaded with a number of other great things as well. Selenium and zinc are some of the many other healthy nutrients that they contain. This makes them an all-around great choice for hair growth.
- Spinach
When eating leafy vegetables, a good rule of thumb is that if it isn’t dark green, it doesn’t count. As spinach is one of the darkest, the benefits it offers are plentiful.
Spinach is full of iron, folate, and vitamins A and C. All of these help to promote hair growth.
Vitamin A helps to produce sebum, which can keep your scalp moisturized and healthy. Iron is also great for hair growth, as it carries oxygen around your body. This helps to fuel your metabolism, which in turn helps with hair growth and repair.
- Avocados
If you have any health-conscious friends, odds are that you’ve heard them go on about the benefits of avocados. There’s a reason why so many health gurus love them: they’re amazing for your body.
Avocados are full of a number of great things, one of which is vitamin E. Like vitamin C, vitamin E contains antioxidants. This means that it can help you get stronger, healthier hair that has no problem growing nice and long.v
Health experts also love the fatty acids that avocados have. These help the body in many ways, including hair growth.
- Oysters
Are you a seafood fan? Although you might love foods like oysters because they’re delicious, your body loves them for the nutrients they provide.
Oysters are one of the best sources of zinc, which is an essential mineral that your body uses to do many different functions. Studies have shown that zinc also helps with hair growth.
As long as you have enough zinc in your diet, you don’t have to worry about taking zinc supplements. Eating a plate of oysters now and then is a good way to go about getting the zinc you need.
- Nuts
Nuts are one of the easiest foods to add to your diet. You can choose from a wide selection of options, then add them to salads, cereals, or a stir-fry. You’ll then benefit from the many nutrients that they contain.
Nuts contain plenty of Vitamin B and vitamin E, both of which help with hair loss prevention. They also contain lots of zinc and fatty acids.
Aside from helping with hair growth, nuts can also reduce inflammation, as well as your risk of heart disease.
- Seeds
Seeds are another way to add extra nutrients to your diet with little effort. They work great on salads, as snacks, or in different entrees, such as pasta.
Vitamin E, selenium, and zinc are some of the many great nutrients that nuts have. All of these help with hair growth and repair.
Depending on the seed you choose, you can also get some other great nutrients as well. For example, chia seeds and flaxseeds have omega 3-fatty acids, as well as high amounts of fiber. Consume a mixture of different seeds to get the most nutrients.
- Beans
Vegans and vegetarians have been enjoying beans and the nutrients they provide for a long time. Being a great source of protein means that they’re great for your hair.
Aside from having protein, they also come with a lot of zinc. 100 grams of black beans will give you 7% of the amount of zinc you need each day. They also come with biotin and folate.
One of the best things about beans is that they’re inexpensive and easy to add to many different dishes. Pick them up, and see where you can incorporate them into your diet.
- Shrimp
Seafood lovers will also be happy to know that shrimp are another great food to help with hair growth. They’re low in fat but contain many great nutrients.
Protein, vitamin B, vitamin D, and iron are some of the many fantastic nutrients that shrimp contain. Many studies have linked these with helping to prevent hair loss.
Shrimp also contains omega-3 fatty acids. Although it’s a small amount, adding it to your diet may help with hair growth.
- Soybeans
Another food enjoyed by vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike is soybeans. They contain many different compounds that can help promote hair growth.
Spermidine is one of these, and soybeans contain a lot of it. This nutrient increases the duration of the hair growth phase, meaning that your hair has a longer window to grow out.
Experts need to conduct more studies to understand all of the benefits of spermidine. But adding soybeans to your diet can be a great idea either way.
- Red Meat
Although there are many great sources of protein, meat remains one of the most efficient ways to get high amounts of it. Eating a sirloin steak will give you around 30 grams of protein.
The protein in meats strengthens your hair follicles. This helps prevent breakage, and also helps your hair grow long.
Although all types of meat can be good for your hair, red meat is great due to the high amounts of iron. This brings oxygen to your hair in a short amount of time.
- Greek Yogurt
As mentioned, hair follicles contain more protein than anything else. This means that to grow your hair, you need to get plenty of protein.
Greek yogurt contains tons of protein, as well as other great things, like vitamin B5. This helps stimulate blow flow to your scalp, and can also promote hair growth while preventing hair loss.
If you’re a vegetarian, Greek yogurt can be a great way to add protein to your diet without eating meat. If you are a meat-lover, you can enjoy it regardless!
- Sweet Potatoes
To get long hair, you need to have hair that’s healthy and strong. Sweet potatoes can help you achieve that.
Sweet potatoes contain beta carotene, which is a type of antioxidant. Your body turns it into vitamin A, which then helps strengthen dull or dry hair.
Eating sweet potatoes also helps encourage your scalp to produce the required amount of sebum. This means that’ll you get moist, healthy hair that won’t fall out.
- Guava
Guavas are delicious and sweet tropical fruits. As is the case with many other types of fruits, they’re packed with vitamin C.
Eating only a cup of guava gives you more than four times the required daily amount. This makes it easy to maximize your vitamin C intake while eating them, helping your hair in the process.
Depending on where you live, guavas can bloom at any time of the year. Spring and summer are some of the best times to get them, though.
Add These Delicious Hair Growth Foods Into Your Diet
Who doesn’t want a head covered in healthy and long hair? By following this guide and making a point to start eating some of the fifteen hair growth foods mentioned, you’ll have enviable luscious locks in no time.
What do you think? Did we forget to include any healthy foods for growing hair on our list? Make sure to let us know in a comment down below!
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