Lacklustre locks? Discover the superfoods which will transform the condition of your hair.
The condition of your hair can depend on a variety of factors, including your choice of shampoo & conditioner, styling tools and even the environment.
What a lot of people don’t realise is that internal factors often play the largest role in hair health. The old adage saying ‘you are what you eat’ rings true here as changes in your diet and nutrition can dramatically improve the condition of your hair.
This is because our hair is fed from the hair follicles which are located under the skin of the scalp, where it derives its nutrients from our blood.
If you are suffering from hair loss it is worth noting that for optimal hair growth, hair follicles must be satisfied by the necessary vitamins and minerals (The Trichological Society).
Superfoods for Healthier Hair
To ensure you are consuming these essential vitamins and minerals, try incorporating the following foods into your diet!
Leafy Greens
Broccoli, kale and spinach are all fantastic sources of iron. Having a sufficient amount of iron in your diet is vital when trying to stimulate hair growth. This is because, your body relies on haemoglobin to grow and repair cells in your body, something that cannot be produced without a sufficient amount of your iron.
Kiwi Fruits
Kiwis contain more than three times the amount of vitamin C than oranges per 100g. Our bodies are unable to produce or store Vitamin C on their own, meaning it needs to be consumed on a daily basis. Vitamin C aids our absorption of iron and also boosts our collagen levels, helping to strengthen the capillaries that supply the hair shafts.
Fish
In 2015, a study revealed that women who incorporated omega-3 and omega-6 into their diets experienced an improvement in hair thickness and a reduction in hair loss. Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines are all amazing sources of omega-3 and 6. Similarly to vitamin C, it is impossible for our bodies to produce omega-3 and 6 by itself, making it essential that we obtain these fatty acids from our diets.
Nuts
Vitamin E can be found in a variety of nuts including almonds, hazelnuts and pistachios. Vitamin E is essential for healthy skin, which includes your scalp. Oxidative damage which occurs when we neglect the health of our scalp has been directly linked to unhealthy looking (and feeling) hair. This highlights the importance of looking after your skin as it can directly affect the condition of your hair!
Eggs
Poached, boiled or scrambled, eggs are an amazing source of zinc and selenium. Zinc deficiency can cause hair loss whilst selenium has antioxidant properties which prevent damage to hair follicles from UV rays, pollution and other free radicals. This makes them essential when trying to maintain or improve hair health.
If you are struggling with lacklustre locks, try incorporating some of these foods into your diet and see if you notice a difference!
Interested in learning more about hair health? Gain expert insights into preventing hair loss in Simone Thomas’ webinar. Sign up for free via the link here!