Hair health is reliant on a healthy diet — the two have a lot in common. If you are concerned with thinning, frail hair or have been experiencing shedding, one of the best things you can do is turn your focus on what you’re eating. Are you getting enough protein? Are you relying on a lot more fast food these days, with the demands of life getting in the way of cooking? Many of us have been there.
Sometimes small changes are the most effective changes, even when it comes to your hair and hair loss. Try avoiding these nine ultra-processed foods, or cutting back on how much of them you eat, in order to help boost your hair’s health.
Candy
By all means, keep a bowl of candy somewhere and indulge once in a while — who would want to forever sacrifice all sweet treats? But too much candy and sugar can lead to inflammation in the body, which affects your hair’s health (among other things). Sugar also ages your cells faster and can cause blood sugar disruptions that increase the hormone cortisol, which can disrupt the hair growth cycle and lead to shedding.
Alcohol
A few too many alcoholic beverages can affect your hair by elevating levels of cortisol, causing inflammation in the body, and resulting in dehydration of the scalp and hair follicles.
Fast Food
Many fast food items, such as greasy French fries and processed meats, cause inflammation in the body that contributes to hair shedding. These foods also have high levels of refined carbohydrates and sugars, which spikes your blood sugar and can lead to insulin resistance that disrupts your hormones (hormonal imbalances are often linked to hair loss). Moreover, if your diet contains an abundance of fast food at the expense of healthier sources of vitamins, minerals, and protein, you may be robbing yourself (and your hair) of vital nutrients.
Bacon
Bacon and other processed meats are high in sodium, which leads to dehydration and can dry out your scalp and hair follicles. They also contain added nitrites and nitrates that contribute to oxidative stress in the body and that can damage hair follicles.
White Bread
White bread and similar refined carbohydrates are high in sugars that cause inflammation in the body and spike blood sugar levels. Any time you’re upping the chances of insulin spikes that can disrupt hormonal balance, you are putting your hair health at risk.
Cookies
Everything we’ve been reiterating about sugar consumption and hormonal imbalances as a result of insulin resistance holds true here, too. As delicious as it is to indulge in occasional cookies, eating them in moderation may reduce the risk of creating inflammatory conditions in the body that prevent healthy hair growth.
Margarine
Unlike fat sources like olive oil and butter, margarine contains trans fats that are linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, hormonal imbalances, and an interference with nutrient absorption. All of these factors get in the way of your hair’s ability to grow its longest and strongest.
Pastries
Pastries are fun, tasty, and adorable in many cases. But they’re loaded with sugar and are best consumed in moderation.
Diets Low in Protein
This tip doesn’t involve any one specific food, but is a general reminder that diets low in protein are not going to support your healthy hair goals. Your hair needs protein from food sources like fresh fish, legumes, and (unless you are vegetarian or vegan) lean meats. Make it a priority to incorporate quality sources of protein each day for optimum hair health.
