Healthy Hair Foods

I know we’ve all heard the expression “you are what you eat” a million times, but it’s true. And not just in relation to the health of our heart or our skin or our waistline. What you eat affects the health of your hair too – both how strong it is, as well as the overall condition of your scalp.

There are a few superfoods that you should get plenty of, to help nourish your hair follicles and get you those lustrous locks we all desire!

Oysters I happen to love oysters, but I know that they aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. They are soooo good for you though and I honestly think they should be consumed for their health value alone! Oysters are very rich in zinc, and a lack of zinc in the body can result in hair loss (you can even lose your eyelashes!) as well as a dry, flaky scalp, weak nails and brittle teeth. Hair is made up of about 97% protein, and oysters are an excellent source of that, so if you aren’t a huge fan, just try squeezing a bit of lemon over the top or add a teaspoon of balsamic vinaigrette and throw them down the hatch!

Eggs Eggs are a wonder food that pack a punch, hence why you’ll find that they’re often recommended by many nutritionists. They are a fantastic source of protein, loaded up with zinc, selenium, sulphur, and iron. Iron is especially important, because it helps cells to carry oxygen to the hair follicles. Not only that but too little iron (anaemia) is a major cause of hair loss, particularly in women. The minerals selenium and sulphur also aid hair health and growth.

Salmon I know it probably feels like salmon shows up on every list of superfoods for just about every type of healthy hair / body / bones / you-name-it diet! But that is for good reason! Apart from being rich in both protein and vitamin D, salmon is necessary for your omega-3 fatty acids that your body isn’t able to produce on its own. About 3% of your hair follicle or shaft is made up of these acids. If you aren’t in love with salmon, then try other oily fish such as mackerel, sardines, trout or herring. Or if you’re a vegetarian, be sure to include plenty of avocado, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts (which we’ll get to in a moment) in your diet.

Walnuts These little babies are the only type of nut that have a significant amount of omega-3 fatty acids. Not only that, but they also help protect your hair cells from DNA damage, because of the levels of biotin and vitamin E that they contain. Walnuts also contain copper which is helps to keep your hair lustrous and rich in its natural colour (who knew?!).

Blueberries We love this superfood! Tasty and nutritious, blueberries are an excellent source of Vitamin C, which aids in circulation to the scalp. Vitamin C also supports the tiny blood vessels that feed hair follicles, so make sure you keep a punnet of these handy as they make an excellent topping to your morning muesli, or are a yummy snack to have during the day. I also like to throw blueberries into salads. Delicious and your hair will thank you, too!