Style June 29, 2018
Munch your way to terrifically long tresses.
Long, luscious hair never goes out of style. From Boticelli’s Venus to Queen Daenerys, lengthy locks are the epitome of feminine fierceness.
However, attaining mermaid hair isn’t as carefree and easy as it looks.
In fact, your hair is a reflection of your internal health. A well-balanced diet doesn’t just protect you from ailments such as heart disease and diabetes, but can directly impact the health of your hair. Studies have shown that protein, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals all contribute to hair strength, shine and length.
While many health brands offer vitamins and supplements to add to your routine, a healthy diet is the best way to ensure you’re receiving the nutrition your hair needs. So, if you’ve opted for the Doritos one too many times, you may be lacking the nutrients your hair is craving.
If you’re looking to grow long, healthy hair naturally, check out these hair-growing superfoods that will make you happy and healthy, inside and out.
As you may or may not recall from Bio 101, our hair is made of protein. A lack of protein, therefore, may be inhibiting your hair from its lusciously-long potential.
Iron is another key mineral for hair growth. According to nutritionist Jo Lewin, a deficiency of iron in the blood, also known as anemia, can obstruct the flow of nutrients to the hair follicle. As a result, hair may grow at a slower pace or even fall out.
Luckily, a deficiency in protein or iron is easy to rectify with the right diet. Lean meat such as fish, chicken and turkey provide a healthy source of protein and iron. Due to its high omega-3 content, salmon is particularly beneficial for long, lustrous locks.
Try replacing pork and beef with poultry or fish and watch your hair grow to Rapunzel lengths.
Luckily, there are other ways to get your daily dose of iron. Whether you’re meat-free or not, it doesn’t hurt to add more leafy green vegetables to your diet. Veggies such as spinach, kale and broccoli are packed with iron, Vitamin A and Vitamin C. These vitamins help your scalp produce sebum. Regular production of sebum helps hair maintain its natural moisture, preventing breakage from brittle, weak hair.
Leafy greens are so important for hair health that beauty guru, Lauren Conrad, swears by their hair growing properties.
If you’re looking for long, shiny locks, load your diet with green vegetables and reap the health benefits.
Eggs are the granddaddy of superfoods. Not only do they provide a healthy and yummy source of protein, but they’re also packed with important minerals such as zinc and biotin, which have been shown to promote hair growth in patients with alopecia.
Zinc helps to protect the scalp from dryness, keeping hair follicles moisturized between showers. After all, well-moisturized hair is the key to preventing breakage.
Biotin has been found to be equally as integral for hair health and growth. Studies have shown that biotin improves hair growth in biotin deficient individuals. However, biotin-loading doesn’t necessarily guarantee infinite hair growth for everyone. While overloading on biotin may prove beneficial for those lacking biotin, researchers question the efficacy of biotin on those of us with adequate amounts.
If you’re looking for more ways to integrate biotin into your diet, look no further than your favorite foods! Eggs, diary and yeast all contain high levels of biotin, making them an important part of your diet. Bring on the bread!
Web MD specifically recommends greek yogurt for hair growth and shine. Not only is greek yogurt a high protein food, but it also contains high levels of calcium and potassium, which promote hair strength and thickness. Greek yogurt’s moisturizing qualities also quench brittle hair, leaving your tresses conditioned and healthy.
Choose a yogurt low in sugar and fat for a healthy, nutrient-packed snack that will promote healthy, luscious hair.
Add these delicious superfoods to your diet and watch your health flourish, inside and out.
