THE HEALTHY HAIR DIET

The food you eat does more than just fill you up. Follow our guide for the best way to improve your hair by eating.

The effects of our diet on our bodies are numerous. This extends to our hair and scalp. The wrong diet can lead to a dry, flaky scalp and weak, brittle hair.

On the other hand, a well-considered and balanced diet can strengthen hair and scalp, leaving it looking and feeling better.

But what does that diet look like?

Feeding your hair

Your hair and scalp form a fairly complex environment. Healthy hair grows from a healthy scalp, so for best results it’s important to look after both.

As in any other part of your body, you need specific nutrients for them to function properly.

Hair is made of proteins. Without enough protein, your hair becomes brittle and weak. Keep it strong by eating any of the following:

• chicken

• turkey

• fish

• dairy

• eggs

• legumes (such as beans and peas)

• nuts

Iron is also crucially important. A lack of iron is a major cause of hair loss, as iron maintains the nutrient supply to your scalp.

To make sure you’re getting enough iron, make sure you’re eating:

• animal products such as red meat, chicken and fish, or

• lentils, spinach and other leafy greens

To prevent dryness, look for essential fatty acids like Omega-3 and Omega-6.  These can be found in

• fish

• some seeds and nuts (like walnuts, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds)

• enriched breads and pastas

Your hair and scalp also need vitamins. Many of these vitamins need to come from the food we eat, because our bodies can’t produce them- like the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E. 

Luckily, many types of nuts, fruits and vegetables are abundant sources of these nutrients.

Finally, for the scalp, zinc and selenium are required. Deficiencies in either can result in hair loss or decreased hair growth. 

Selenium also provides antioxidant protection for your skin.

In order to get your daily dose of zinc and selenium, look for fortified cereals, lentils, as well as beef and eggs.