Put down that $45 bottle of conditioner and pick up a salad with spinach and salmon for healthier hair. Okay, maybe those haircare products can get you shiny, thicker-looking hair faster than a well-balanced diet, but the point is: all of the fancy hair masks in the world won’t work if you aren’t feeding your scalp and strands with proper nutrition.
This means making sure you are getting enough essential vitamins and minerals, but also iron, protein, and healthy fats (which are absolutely wonderful for hydration).
This list of six surprising foods for thick, strong hair is a great place to start. It even includes one superfood that Dr. Enrizza P. Factor, dermatologist and writer at My Eczema Team, says is “essential for hair growth.”
1. Spinach
Spinach is a great plant-based source or iron, according to Dr. Factor, and it’s one that contains calcium, chloride, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, choline, folate, riboflavin, and vitamins A, C, E, K, B6. These nutrients are essential for healthy hair (and a healthy body) and help repair your hair and support growth.
2. Salmon
When we think of power foods for your hair and body, salmon is at the top of the list. This food is rich with omega-3 fatty acids, which has anti-inflammatory properties for a healthy scalp strengths hair follicles, and can make hair shinier. Salmon is also a source of protein, vitamins D, B12, A, B6, and B3, and minerals like selenium, potassium, and magnesium.
3. Beans
Protein is essential for hair growth, and beans are a fantastic plant-based source of protein, as well as iron, biotin, zinc, folate, and magnesium. Although their high fiber content isn’t directly related to hair strength and growth, it contributes to a healthier gut, which aids in the absorption of vitamins and minerals.
4. Citrus
Boosting collagen production promotes healthy hair follicles and reduces thinning. Citrus fruits are an excellent source of vitamin C, and vitamin C plays an essential role in the formation of collagen. Some of the best sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, but it can also be found in red and green peppers, broccoli, and even sweet potatoes.
5. Carrots
Bring on the vitamin A goodness for healthy hair. This nutrient aids in the maintenance and regeneration of hair follicles and supports cellular turnover for hair growth. Carrots come to mind when we think of vitamin A, but it can also be found in abundance in sweet potatoes, spinach, butternut squash, and red bell peppers.
6. Oysters
Oysters may be more of an acquired taste than some other foods on this list, but there’s a strong argument in favor of incorporating them into your diet for healthy hair. They contain a wealth of selenium, a mineral that protects hair follicles from oxidative damage. They’re also an important source of vitamin B12 for hair growth, copper, vitamin D, zinc, protein, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids. Basically, they’re the superfood you didn’t know you needed in your life.
With a focus more on foods than on products, your hair can look and feel its healthiest yet.
