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The Absolute Best Food For Healthy Hair

They say that everything you put in your body comes out through your hair. This is why they do drug tests through hair strands, or why people with illness typically have brittle hair. So, it should make sense that if you have unhealthy eating habits, you can expect your hair to be unhealthy as well. Keep in mind that the hair you see on the outside of your body is dead and there isn’t much you can do to fix it. However, your new, growing hair can be stronger and healthier by eating better foods. In this article, I am going to discuss 19 of the top super foods that make your hair grow faster and healthier.

SPOILER:  Wine may or may not be on this list.

Foods That Make Your Hair Grow Faster:

Foods that make your hair grow faster infographic.

19. Spinach

Fresh spinach in a bowl.

Spinach is an excellent source of vitamin-A and vitamin-C, which your body needs to produce sebum. I should also note that sebum is the natural scalp oil that the hair follicles secrete and that it works as the body’s natural hair conditioner. Spinach is also packed with iron and calcium and is believed to be one of the healthiest foods around.

18. Tomatoes

Fresh, perfect red tomatoes.

Tomatoes contain lycopene, which is also found in the prostate gland. Weird huh? Well think of it this way: male pattern baldness and prostate problems are both caused by the same chemical, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Lycopene has antioxidants that reduce the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT, preventing male pattern baldness.

It’s way more powerful when coming from cooked tomato products like tomato sauce or tomato paste. Tomatoes are also rich in biotin, vitamin-A, and vitamin-C, which makes it one of the top foods that make your hair grow faster.

17. Beans

Baked pinto beans in a bowl.

Certain types of beans like kidney beans and lentils are an important part of a healthy “hair diet”. Along, with protein, they are chock full of iron, zinc, and biotin. Since biotin deficiencies result in unhealthy hair, beans are also known as the “hair growth” vitamin.

16. Kiwi

Fresh-cut kiwi fruit.

Kiwis are loaded with vitamin-C and antioxidants and vitamin-C prevents your hair from breaking. They are also rich in vitamin-E, folic acid, zinc, calcium and iron, which are all great for growing new hair.

15. Chicken

Whole rotisserie chicken, ready to be eaten.

Chicken is an excellent source of high-quality protein in which healthy hair thrives on. Without the right amount of protein or with low-quality protein, you should expect weak brittle hair or loss of hair color. Since hair is composed of 91% protein, it kinda makes sense right? If your body isn’t getting the amount of protein it needs, it’s going to cut off the supply to the hair first.

Foods with high protein are the most crucial types of foods that make your hair grow faster.

14. Eggs

Home-grown eggs in a bowl.

Eggs are one of the best sources of protein out there. Scrambled or over easy, they are just great for your hair.

13. Red Wine

Red wine glass and wine bottle.

Wine? I thought we were talking about foods that make your hair grow faster!?

Just go with it, and never refuse wine on a list of things that are good for you.

Red wine contains bioflavonoids, which are known to promote keratin growth and protect against keratin degradation. The antioxidants in red wine are great for you since they work by neutralizing natural “free radical” molecules in the body. If the free radicals are left alone, they can damage the core structure of healthy cells, which leaves them open to disease.

12. Whole Grains

Whole grains in bowls.

Complex carbohydrates, like those found in whole grains, help your body assemble the proteins for new growth. Whole grains also contain tons of zinc, iron, and vitamin-B.

11. Dark Chocolate

Rustic dark chocolate and cacao beans

Another one of my favorite foods that make your hair grow faster is dark chocolate. Keep in mind that I am talking about chocolate with a high flavanol content and made from 60 percent cacao. This type of chocolate helps skin stay hydrated and protects you from sun damage. Fresh cocoa has the highest antioxidant levels in the world, with double the antioxidants of red wine, and three times the antioxidants of green tea. Like red wine, it contains high levels of flavonoids, along with calcium, iron, zinc, and vitamin-B.

10. Milk

Milk in various dishes on the old wooden table in an outdoor setting.

When people think of their needed calcium intake, they probably think of milk (we can thank all of those “Got Milk?” ads for this). But it’s true; milk is one of the best sources of calcium around, and calcium is important for hair growth. Hair follicles use calcium to produce keratinized protein, which makes hair look shiny and strong. Milk also contains whey and casein, which are two high-quality protein sources.

9. Oysters

Close up of cooked oysters.

Oysters are rich in zinc, which aids in skin cell renewal and repair. Additionally, zinc is an essential ingredient to a healthy environment for your hair. Since oysters are considered to be an aphrodisiac, have fun eating them. 😉

8. Sweet Potatoes

Raw sweet potatoes in containers.

Sweet Potatoes contain a ton of beta-carotene, which protects you against aging, and beta-carotene is converted to vitamin-A when the body needs it. It also maintains growth and bone development and protects nerve fibers, which leads to healthy hair, skin, and nails. On top of being one of the healthiest foods around, it’s one of the best foods that make your hair grow faster.

7. Bacon

Cooked bacon rashers on a white plate. Selective focus

Did you ever think you’d see the day that you’d read “bacon” on a list of things that are good for you? Although it may not help you lose weight (unless you’re on a clean, paleo diet), bacon is high in protein, vitamin-B, and zinc.

6. Red Meat

Delicious steak on the grill.

First off, red meat is super high in protein. In addition, it is a great source of vitamin-B, zinc, and iron, which are all essential for healthy hair. Just be careful not to eat too much, because it can cause high cholesterol and too much protein can cause uric acid buildup (as a result of undigested protein) that can actually lead to hair loss.

5. Carrots

Freshly picked carrots.

Carrots are rich in vitamin-A, which helps promote a healthy scalp. Since hair is formed inside the scalp, it’s best to keep a healthy environment for the hair to grow in. Healthy scalp = healthy hair.

4. Yogurt

Fresh, delicious yogurt in a mason jar.

Yogurt contains probiotics, which are good bacterias that live in your stomach. These will help your body absorb protein along with providing good vitamins and minerals that are essential to hair growth. You can eat all the protein in the world, but if your stomach isn’t in good condition, it all goes to waste.

3. Blueberries

Fresh-picked blueberries in a carton.

These delicious berries have the highest levels of antioxidants out of all fruits. Antioxidants, among other great things, protect you from premature aging, making blueberries one of the most important foods that make your hair grow faster.

2. Salmon

Fresh cooked salmon on a plate.

Salmon is one of the best foods available for beautiful hair. There is a ton of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamin B-12 and iron in Salmon, all of which is essential for hair growth. Omega-3 fatty acids support scalp health, and a deficiency can result in a dry scalp with dull hair.

1. Nuts

A variety of nuts.

Different types of nuts offer different benefits. Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, which is an omega-3 essential fatty acid that conditions your hair. Cashews, almonds, pecans, and walnuts are all great sources of zinc, which protects your hair from shedding. Brazil nuts are one of the best sources of selenium, an important mineral for the health of your scalp. Last but not least, pine nuts are a great source of protein, which, like we covered, is crucial for growing new hair.

If you liked this post, you should check out 11 Home Remedies for Hair Growth!


Your Turn:  Did you enjoy this post? I’ll love you forever if you share it with your friends on your favorite social media website…

Did you know about some of these foods that make your hair grow faster? What are some creative ways to incorporate them into your diet? I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments section below…

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Did you know that whatever you eat comes out through your hair? Check out these 19 super foods that will make your hair healthy and happy!

Wednesday 10th of July 2013

do you have any vitomens to take for your hair

Candy

Monday 14th of January 2013

Sounds like my diet should consist of MORE red wine! Great info thanks, love your blog! Hair vitamins have helped out greatly, maybe you should give them a try, that way if you forget to eat or DRINK you're daily protein intake, they are in an easy to swallow capsule! http://www.intensegrow.com/pills-for-hair-growth.htm

Fiona Luke

Sunday 12th of August 2012

That good to know Hollee, bacon was a shocker to me cause I always hear how bad it is for you<3

signsandwonders2020

Sunday 12th of August 2012

Reblogged this on lovelyseasonscomeandgo and commented: great information for hair. thank you so much.