Having beautiful hair surely is everyone’s goal but not everybody realises that in order to achieve that, one must invest in having healthy hair first. Hair nutrition is one of the most important subjects in the beauty world but ironically, not many people in the industry talk about the steps to grow healthier hair.
Of course there are some major factors that will always influence how your hair looks: age, genetics and hormones all play a role in hair nutrition but when it comes down to the facts, your diet is one of the few things you have full control over. So how can we get healthier hair? How can we avoid hair loss and make sure it grows stronger by the day? Here are some essential tips to get both your body, mind and hair on the healthier side.
Have a Balanced Diet
Did you know your hair cells are the second fastest-growing cells in your body? We have roughly 100,000 hairs on our scalp and guess what? They all need proper nourishment in order to grow. The problem is that because hair is not a vital organ, our bodies don’t prioritise its nutritional needs so it’s up to you to make sure all these cells are being taken care of.
The excesses and deficiencies of certain vitamins and minerals in your diet — like the lack of iron and an overload of vitamin A – can result in hair loss, making it crucial to really understand what you’re putting in your body. So what do our hair cells actually need? Like most of our body cells, they need a balanced amount of proteins, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, iron and minerals to function properly.
If you’re looking to make your hair stronger, consider including at least a palm-sized portion of protein in your breakfast or lunch — this can be anything from eggs, quinoa and nuts to chicken, fish and meat. When you’re done picking your protein, add a portion of complex carbohydrates to the mix: oats, brown rice, whole wheat toast or pasta are all great choices.
Avoid Certain Foods
Specific foods contain certain nutrients and ingredients that can damage your hair and discourage its growth. If you’re fighting hair loss, make sure to avoid swordfish since its high levels of mercury are directly linked to hair loss issues. Alcohol is also a big catalyst for unhealthy hair: it slows the levels of zinc in your body and that is a necessary mineral for healthy hair growth.
Big fan of sugar? Well… bad news ahead: sugar is already known as a huge cause of health problems like diabetes and it’s also a big enemy of hair growth! The reason is simple: protein is essential for your hair and sugar hinders the absorption of it.
Build Healthy Habits
Water is life and hydrating is essential for hair growth and overall a healthier lifestyle. The recommended is drinking approximately 2 litres of water a day depending on the climate of where you live and your level of activity. When your scalp is dehydrated, just like the rest of your body, it becomes a poor environment for any kind of growth.
Hair is mainly composed of protein so including a balanced amount of it in your diet is vital to grow healthier hair. If you’re not really a meat person, there are many other options like eggs, beans, tofu, legumes and nuts that can be easily added to your meals and make all the difference.
The lack of iron in your diet is directly related to hair loss so make sure to consume solid amounts of iron in order to maintain healthy hair. If your diet allows it, try to eat red meat at least twice a week. Not the biggest carnivore? Try adding an iron supplement to your diet and watch the magic happen!
