Eat these foods if you want strong, healthy hair

By Sean Tan and Farisia Thang - 5 Jul 2020

Smiling asian woman with long dark hair in sunglasses talking by a smartphone while walking the city street. Young entrepreneur making business calls by a mobile phone while going to coworking space.

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Hair makes up a big part of our identity, and healthy hair certainly accentuates one's appearance. There are easily a handful of factors that determine how healthy your hair is – whether it’s genetics, stress, diet, or even age. The first step to attaining luscious locks is changing your diet.

Eating a balanced diet with the right nutrients on a regular basis not only benefits your hair but also your overall health. In the long run, it can help promote hair growth, strengthen the hair, and even improve scalp circulation.

Here are 10 foods you should start adding to your diet so you can eat your way to healthy hair.

Strawberries

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Rich in vitamins C, B5 and B6, plus folic acid and ellagic acid, this sweet berry helps you combat hair thinning. They also promote silkier and shinier hair; some people add them to home remedies in hair masks or conditioners with great results.

Salmon

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Fatty fish like salmon are rich in omega-3, and a great source of protein and B vitamins. If your hair suffers from dryness and brittleness, then it’s time to take more salmon to reap its benefits.

Pistachio

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Almost all types of nuts are a boost to hair health as they provide vitamin E, selenium, and omega-3 to bring shine and vitality to your tresses. Pistachios in particular are nutrient-dense and contain fatty acids to bolster the strength of hair follicles. They are also rich in biotin, which helps prevent hair loss.

Oysters

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Not just a powerful aphrodisiac and a delicious treat, oysters are also an excellent source of zinc. A steady intake of zinc is especially important if you suffer from hair loss, as zinc deficiency is a key cause of hair loss. So go ahead and indulge in oysters from time to time.

Lentils

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A great choice for protein intake, especially if you are a vegetarian, is this fibre-rich and protein-packed food. Lentils also provide iron, zinc, and biotin, all of which are crucial to aid good circulation and healthy hair growth.

Guava

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Do you notice that your hair breaks easily? Then it’s more vitamin C you need in your diet, and this fruit has four times more vitamin C than an orange. Plus, it’s full of fibre, folic acid, potassium, and antioxidants. Eat the fruit by itself, or load up on guava leaf tea which has a myriad of benefits as well.

Cinnamon

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This spice makes a nice dessert and drink complement, and can also help by improving your hair’s circulation, pumping your follicles with more nutrients and oxygen to promote a healthy sheen.

Lean meats

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Loading up on protein benefits not only your body but also your locks. Choose poultry like chicken breast or turkey meat to help your hair strengthen its shaft, so you reduce the chances of split ends on your hair and also hair fall and thinning.

Whole grain cereal

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Yes, the humble bowl of breakfast cereal is actually a hair growth booster, but make sure you choose whole grain, or better still, an iron-fortified version. Iron supplies oxygen to your hair follicles and this is key in maintaining your hair’s thickness and lustre.

Canva

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We know carrots are good for our eyes and skin, but did you know that this beta carotene-rich veggie is also beneficial to hair health? Packed with nutrients and vitamins A and C, it nourishes your tresses, improves scalp circulation, and promotes healthier growth.

Featured image: Evgeniia Kazarinova / 123RF

This article was originally published on Women's Weekly Singapore.