Great hair starts in the kitchen…
Spring is finally here! As we’ve finally thawed out from a winter which has been, quite frankly, far too long, it’s now time for start the year right. Many of us opt for cleaning and purging at home during these optimistic spring months and also turning our focus onto a healthier lifestyle, after along winters hibernation filling up on treats and comfort foods. We all know that eating a healthy balanced diet has been proven to enhance our lives and lead to a long and healthy life, but did you know it also impacts how we look? The way our hair looks and feels improves our day, ask anyone having a BHD! Keep reading to find out how to banish bad hair days and make the most of our crown and glory by making some simple dietary choices:
Our hair is made from a protein called keratin so we need to eat a protein rich diet to sustain healthy tresses. Your hair is the second fastest growing cell in your body and you have around 120,000 hairs growing on your scalp at any one time. Protein works to promote hair growth and helps your hair stay strong and healthy. Foods such as fish, chicken and beef all contain high amounts of protein so can boost healthy hair growth. Choose beans and pulses if you’re looking for vegetarian option.
Eating lean fresh grass-fed beef can give you great hair growth results as beef also contains Vitamin B, as does salmon. Salmon has a great source of omega-3 too and holds other minerals and vitamins, which can improve dry, brittle hair.
Iron is one of the most important minerals for your hair. Iron also optimizes energy levels, nourishes your skin and keeps your heart healthy. When it comes to all around hair health, the winner is spinach. It contains a good source of iron, Vitamin A and C as well as protein, all of which can help fight hair loss. This leafy vegetable and Popeyes favourite also contains sebum which acts as a natural container improving the health of the hair. Omega-3 acid, potassium, magnesium, iron and calcium, all found in spinach help to maintain a healthy scalp.
Biotin, otherwise known as Vitamin B7 is another dietary ingredient that is a must for healthy locks. High levels of biotin can be found in nuts, legumes, seeds and pulses and the current firm favourite that’s taken the health food world by storm, the avocado. It is also prevalent in whole grains and cereals, cauliflower, bananas and mushrooms.
Not just good for your skin… Almonds are one of the best sources of Vitamin E and also contain high amounts of Biotin. Vitamin E acts as antioxidant and aids repair in damaged hair follicles, from pollution and sun damage. Almonds also contain catalase, an enzyme that retains our hair colour and can obstruct greying. An all-around super food for our hair.
So, if you want strong healthy hair you need a balanced and wholesome diet. Our top tips are: eat almonds in abundance, spinach by the bucket load, legumes, chicken and red meat and don’t bin the butter! Fats are vitally important for healthy hair growth. Variety is the spice of life after all, so mix it up. Replace sugary food and refined carbohydrates with whole grains and keep fruit and vegetables seasonal, along with around 2 litres of water per day. This combination will ensure a good hair day, every day.
