Hair is not something that we cannot live without, however when you lose it, the feeling of devastation might set in. Imagine me doing the signature scream from ‘Home Alone’ the movie, when a barber informed me I was balding while trimming my hair. It was then that I realized that hair is part of our identity; it is something that we can change (length, style, colour) to make us different from others. Losing hair usually also meant that our body is sick, either physically (under-nourishment) or mentally (stress).
Just like your skin, our hair needs to be well hydrated to stay strong and supple. Now there is one more reason for you to drink enough water a day. Other nutrients that your hair would need are proteins, iron, zinc & vitamin B and C. You can take supplements for these but if you are able to get these nutrients from your daily meals, why get supplements? Below are examples of food that are able to give you the nutrients needed for healthier hair.
- Whole grains. These contain zinc, iron and vitamin B and they digest slower which makes you feel full longer thus helping you to eat lesser as well.
- Red meat and poultry are good sources of protein, iron and vitamin B. (Avoid the fried ones though)
- Eggs are not only yummy but they are packed full of vitamin B and protein. When I say eggs, I mean the yolk as well because they contain high biotin content which is an important component for strengthening hair and nails.
- Nuts like almonds, cashews and walnuts contain healthy fats and hair-friendly minerals such as selenium and zinc. (As usual, avoid the fried and salted ones)
- Vitamin rich fruits like tomatoes, citrus fruits, carrots and mangoes are essential for healthy scalp.
- Many people dislike broccoli for various reasons. But there is a reason why this is often regarded as a super-food. It contains rich amount of vitamin C, folic acid, fiber, potassium and calcium. Health benefits of broccoli have been known to prevent colon cancer, diabetes, heart disease and calcium deficiencies.
