5 Superfoods for Hair Growth
Many of us are keen on building a healthy body and skin. But not many of us are too keen on keeping our scalp and hair healthy. But taking care of our hair and scalp is something that we need to take seriously. And because hair and scalp are parts of our body, our lifestyle, diet, and habits can have either positive or negative impact on our hair. By taking care of our hair and scalp, we can help slow down hair loss as well and keep it fuller for longer.
There are several factors that contribute to the rate at which our hair falls and grows: our diet, overall health, and lifestyle, to name a few. In today’s posting, we’re going to focus on the diet. (For habits, make sure to read our previous blog post to learn about common habits that slow down hair loss: The Most Fundamental Way to Prevent Hair Loss.)
Of course, diet alone is not going to stop hair loss or make your hair grow faster. But it will build a stable foundation to promote new hair growth and slow down hair loss. In particular, we need an ample amount of protein, Vitamins A, C, and E, iron, and Omega-3 fatty acids.
If you were thinking of adding superfoods for your health and skin, you might as well look for ones that will also benefit your hair and scalp as well!
- Nuts
Walnuts and almonds are great sources of biotin, B-vitamins, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. These help strengthen the hair cuticles and nourish the scalp. Walnuts, in particular, include alpha-Lineolic acid, which help add shine to your lock. Brazil nuts are a great source of protein, Vitamin E, and selenium, which help with hair growth.
- Sweet potatoes
Not only do these root plants taste great, but they are also rich in beta-carotene. When boiled or grilled, beta-carotene in sweet potatoes acts as antioxidants and converts to Vitamin A in our body. Vitamin A keeps the hair follicles and hair cuticles healthy. And sweet potatoes are rich in Vitamin C, copper, iron, and protein, which prevent scalp from dryness and help with hair growth.
- Spinach
Spinach is leafy vegetable that is so versatile and can be incorporated into all kinds of dishes. Although not technically seen as a superfood, its nutritional profile is close to any superfood, making it definitely worthwhile to add to your meal everyday. It has Vitamins K, A, C, B2, B6, iron, zinc, and so on to help nourish your scalp and hair. And when your scalp is nourished, you can expect healthy growth of hair. In addition, it is high in antioxidants, which help protect the hair against free radical damage and UV damage as well.
- Quinoa
This super seed is considered a complete protein, with all nine essential amino acids present that are necessary for naturally strengthening your hair follicles from the roots. And it is a rich source of iron, potassium, and calcium as well, deeply nourishing the scalp and sealing moisture in. How this helps your scalp is by keeping your scalp hydrated and preventing dandruff buildup.
- Mangos
Mango, from its seeds to skin, has been used from ancient history to treat hair conditions. And they have been an essential element in Ayurvedic treatments as well. These delicious fruits are rich in silica, which help retain elasticity in hair. And they repair damaged hair and hair follicles. By strengthening and repairing hair follicles, they help grow thick and fuller-looking hair.