8 Foods To Grow Your Hair Faster!
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Let us tell you something that you can relate to- your bathroom cabinets are filled with various kinds of hair growth shampoos and hair strengthening conditioners which have failed you miserably; let's move on to your dressing table where a thousand bottles of hair oil, hair serum and hair creams keep staring at you in utter shame as they have disappointed you time and time again. Relatable? Let’s relate some more!
You are constantly looking for new products to boost your hair growth, you have read at least 15 articles on ‘How to grow hair faster?’ but just like the shampoos and hair serums, nothing seems to be working in your favor. By now, you are probably amazed at how much you are able to relate to what we are saying but believe us, when we say that you will be completely surprised when I tell you that the secret to transforming your short and dry locks to long and luscious ones is determined by what you add on your meal plate.
Sure, hair products help at times but the real magic lies in the foods that you consume on a daily basis. Take it this way- what you put on your plate directly determines what you are feeding your hair. Having the right food with the right nutrients and protein affect each and every strand of your hair and is the most imperative step towards having the long and luscious locks that you have always dreamed of.
This is what Rima Kleiner, MS, RD has to say about healthy hair growth. "Protein is a building block for every cell and tissue in our body, and hair is no different. While our bodies make protein, it is important to consume protein-rich foods for optimal health, including hair health."
That being said, we have listed 8 foods that definitely deserve a spot on your plate if you want to grow your hair faster.
Eggs: Eggs not only serve as a healthy breakfast option but also help in having healthy and long hair.
Hair follicles are essentially made up of protein and therefore, having adequate protein is very important for healthy hair. The good news is that eggs not only have loads of protein, but they are also packed with other other healthy elements like zinc, iron and selenium. In that little white shell also lies biotin which promotes the production of keratin (a hair protein) which helps in reducing hair fall and improving the quality of your hair. According to research, consuming the recommended amount of biotin is strongly linked to healthy and long hair. Well, what can we say, eggs are indeed egg-tra-ordinary!
Nuts: Almost every article that we have ever written about healthy food includes nuts and therefore, it is no surprise that nuts made it on to this list of foods to grow your hair faster.
The credit goes to the rich reserves of protein, zinc, vitamin E, magnesium, B vitamins, essential fatty acids and your hair’s favorite- biotin. These nutrients nourish the scalp and protect from the damage caused by external triggers like sunlight, pollution, etc. According to Certified Nutritional Consultant Lori Kenyon Farley, “Biotin or Vitamin B7 is a coenzyme that provides energy to the body. In particular, it helps create healthy hair cells, leading to thicker, healthier hair."
Oysters: If you are wondering that oysters are an unusual thing to add to your diet, wait till you finish this paragraph.
Dr. John Diaz, MD says that "Oysters contain protein, iron, omega fatty acids, calcium, zinc and vitamin C. All of these vitamins and minerals are essential for healthy beautiful skin and hair." Zinc is considered to be very important for hair repair and oysters are one of the best sources of zinc. Zinc deficiency can give way to a dry, flaky scalp and a hair loss condition called telogen effluvium. Excess zinc in the body can also promote hair loss and therefore instead of depending on zinc supplements, it is always recommended to depend on natural sources like oysters as they provide the body with small and healthy doses of zinc.
Sweet potatoes: Add sweet potatoes to your diet can have some sweet benefits on your hair.
This is because sweet potatoes are filled with beta-carotene- an antioxidant that helps repair dull and damaged hair. The body converts beta-carotene into Vitamin A which is essential for quick hair growth. "Sweet potatoes are another wonderful food for hair growth due to their high dosage of beta-carotene, the precursor of Vitamin A, which helps to keep hair from becoming dry and brittle," says beauty expert Julie Ricevuto. Vitamin A also helps the body produce sebum which works as a natural conditioner for the hair hence promoting a healthy and itch-free scalp.
Avocado: When it comes to health, avocados have plenty of benefits and as research has it, avocados are an essential source of Vitamin B, Vitamin E and other healthy fatty acids.
These nutrients prevent hair loss and strengthen the scalp resulting in long and healthy hair. One study found that hair loss victims experienced a 34.5% increase in hair growth after taking vitamin E supplements for eight months. Avocados come to the rescue here as having one medium-sized avocado provides approximately 21% of your daily vitamin E intake. Vitamin E also works as an antioxidant and protects the scalp from oxidative damage.
Spinach: If you want to grow your hair faster, it is best that you go green!
Vitamin A, Vitamin C, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, potassium, calcium, iron, beta-carotene- spinach has everything that you need for long and healthy hair. That’s not it! It also contains sebum which works as a natural conditioner and keeps the scalp from getting damaged. Iron deficiency is one of the main reasons for hair loss and consuming spinach regularly makes up for it. All the essential elements in spinach work together to protect your hair and promote rapid hair growth.
Berries: If you want to grow your hair faster, adding berries to your diet is a berry-good option!
Berries are extremely rich in Vitamin C which is used by the body to produce collagen, a protein that makes hair stronger and provides protection from damage. In addition to that, Vitamin C also has antioxidant properties which protect the hair from free radicals. It also helps the body absorb iron more efficiently which reduces the chances of hair fall. Fun fact- one cup of strawberries provides approximately 141% of the body’s Vitamin C requirements. Woah!
Salmon: I’m sure that you have heard the term ‘omega-3 fatty acids’ but what you might not know is that the human body is practically unable to produce them on their own. This is where salmon the saviour comes to the rescue by providing the body with adequate omega-3 fatty acids from its rich reserves.
Omega- 3 are found in the cells of the scalp and also keep the hair follicles hydrated. A study conducted on 120 women found that consuming omega-3 and omega-6 supplements increased hair density and reduced hair loss. Salmon is also a great source of protein, selenium, B vitamins, vitamin D3, selenium, proteins and various nutrients which enhance overall hair quality and promote hair growth. Tuna, mackerel, sardines, herring also serve the same purpose.
Note: If you are not a fan of fish, adding flax seeds to your diet will provide your body with the essential omega-3 fatty acids.
Here's an infographic for your reference if ever you want to quickly recall the 8 foods that will help you grow your hair faster.
In some cases, slow hair growth can be due to an underlying health condition. If having a healthy diet and making lifestyle modifications do not help in growing your hair faster, it is recommended that you talk to a Hair Specialist to understand the underlying causes and the possible consequences.
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