We are probably all guilty of spending too much money on products to get a glorious, shiny head of hair. Although products help to maintain the health and look of our hair, hair needs to be nourished, and this starts from the inside. Just like when looking at foods for healthy skin, the cells which make up your hair require certain kinds of nutrients. We have had a look at three of the most common hair concerns and what foods are best to include in your diet to tackle these problems. Hair problem: Thinning/ loss of hair. Best food for thinning hair: Spinach. We loose on average about 50-100 strands of hair each day; this is nothing to worry about if you are getting the nutrients you need in your diet to help your body replenish the hairs which it has lost. One of the common causes of hair loss is due to lack of iron intake. Eating spinach (every day if you wish) provides a rich source of iron for your system which increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to your hair roots and scalp, if this flow is interrupted by lack of nutrients it can disrupt the growth cycle resulting in your hair thinning out. This leafy green is also packed with magnesium, potassium and calcium, all of which helps towards shiny, lustrous hair. Other foods which stimulate hair growth: oats, bok choy and oily fish such as salmon Hair Problem: Broken or damaged hair Best foods for broken hair: Guava Adding vitamin C to your diet with foods such as guava can prevent your hair from breaking and becoming brittle which can be caused by mistreating or styling your hair with excessive heat. Vitamin C is one of the most effective nutrients to help grow and strengthen your hair. It plays an important role in helping your body absorb iron, which keeps the hair strong and healthy. Many people think of fruits such as oranges to get their vitamin C intake, but the guava contains almost double what you need in a day for healthy looking hair! Other foods to help prevent brittle broken hair: blueberries, strawberries, grapefruit, broccoli and kale. Hair problem: Dull looking hair Best foods for dull hair: Salmon or Avocado. When your hair is looking a little lacklustre it may be tempting to turn to shampoos and conditioners, however a poor diet lacking the necessary healthy fats could be the reason your hair is lacking in the wow factor! Foods such as salmon are full of omega-3 fatty acids which are fed to the hair follicles in our scalps. Consuming healthy fats such as oily fish or plant based fats, like avocado, will prevent your hair and scalp from drying out and leaving it looking sleek and shiny. Other foods for dull hair: flax seeds, walnuts and eggs. What else, other than products, can you look to for healthy hair? Protein; this is one of the most important nutrients needed for healthy hair in general as our hair is composed mainly of a special protein called keratin. Including foods packed with protein in your diet will give your hair strength and flexibility and you can find this in eggs, chicken, soy based proteins, beans and pulses. Hydration; as well as a healthy balanced diet, do not forget the importance and benefits of drinking plenty of water everyday for sleek and healthy locks! Supplements; naturally, a healthy and balanced diet can help combat a number of hair worries, but if you find your lacking in something in your diet then the introduction of supplements may help bridge the gap too. For whole food and food-grown supplements to revitalise your hair, shop here for: Hair, Skin and Nails Supplements.
