10 Best Foods For Hair

By Madhu Babu

A lot can be said about a man by his hair. A healthy shiny hair defines his overall health and attitude. Even though hair is genetic, it's still in your control as long as it is on you. It requires more than grooming and care to make it last longer and stronger with a healthy shine. You need to be on a healthy diet to help your locks stand out. A balanced diet of raw vegetables, fruits, nuts, dry fruits and leafy greens are essential for smooth shiny and strong hair.

Your diet should include lots of protein and iron to boost your hair growth and its health. Nutrient rich diet helps in fortifying hair follicle and the scalp. Protein is the building b lock of hair. Your body requires a lot of protein for general growth and metabolism. Hence you have to make sure you take in that extra bit of protein and iron to help your hair growth.

The positive results of proper diet on your hair take time to reflect. The results are not instantaneous. A protein and nutrient rich diet should take about 6months to about a year in some cases to work wonders on the health of your hair and scalp. Even though baldness occurs majorly out of hereditary and hormones, many cases have shown lack of iron being a factor premature baldness in males.

Here are 10 foods that are shown to be good for your hair.

Eggs

Eggs

The most recommended food for good hair. Egg, peanuts and almonds are rich in biotin, which is shown to promotes hair growth and improve overall scalp health.

Bananas

Bananas

Bananas, raisins and oats contain silica, which is shown to increase hair thickness. Foods rich in this mineral helps make hair stronger and more durable. The thickness and strength of hair is increased with increase intake of essential minerals.

Dark green veggies

Dark green veggies

Green veggies such as spinach, broccoli, and Swiss chard are rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C, which are essential to keep the hair naturally conditioned. Generally hair has to be conditioned to stay moist and strong.

Salmon

Salmon

Salmon comes packed with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B-12 and iron. These are highly essential for maintaining good conditioned scalp and avoid scaly and dry scalp. This helps in reducing dandruff and maintaining a clean scalp.

Beans

Beans

Beans such as kidney beans and lentils are highly rich in protein and minerals such as zinc, iron and biotin. They are essential for promoting faster and thicker hair growth.

Nuts and dry fruits

Nuts and dry fruits

Peanuts, cashews, almonds, raisins, dates etc. are rich source of essential minerals and proteins. Walnut contains omega-3 fatty acids. Deficiency in minerals results in hair shedding.

Oysters

Oysters

Zinc is an essential mineral needed to avoid dry and flaky scalp leading a lot of hair loss and damage. Oysters are a rich source of not only zinc but also protein. This helps in building and conditioning hair and scalp.

Blueberries

Blueberries

Blueberries are a rich source of vitamin C, which is critical for blood circulation to the scalp and support tiny vessels that feed the follicle. Lack of vitamin C leads to breakage of hair.

Oils

Oils

Healthy oils like olive, peanut and sunflower can restore the shine and protection to the hair. Your diet has to be balanced with good fats from these oils to maintain a shiny hair.

Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes

Sweet potato is rich in beta-carotene, which is converted to Vitamin a by your body. This vitamin is a natural conditioner to your hair and scalp. Other vegetables such as carrots, asparagus, and pumpkin are known to provide good shine.

Story first published: Saturday, November 9, 2013, 13:11 [IST]
Read more about: hair care