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Like a clear and rosy complexion, beautiful, bouncy and shiny hair is just on everyone’s wish list. More than a great cut and glamorous style, it is healthy hair that makes heads turn. When it is healthy and glossy, you feel privileged and ready to conquer the world. However, poor diet, crash dieting, stress, illness, inadequate sleep, over-exposure to sun, pollution and air conditioning can translate into poor hair that becomes the bane of your life rather than your crowning glory.
For healthy and silky locks, it really matters that you eat certain specific foods rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins to make the keratin protein and inducing the sebaceous glands to produce oils for hair.
Top 6 Choices of Healthy Foods
Vegetables
Green vegetables especially broccoli, spinach, peas, green beans, asparagus and celery are rich sources of folic acid, vitamin A and C that help in producing sebum, the natural conditioner for hair. Besides promoting hair growth, it keeps the immune system healthy to support all functions of the body.
Red and orange vegetables such as carrot, tomatoes, peppers and red onions contains many antioxidants, phytochemicals and beta-carotene that fight with free radicals who actually damage hair. Enrich your daily diet with lots of servings of these vegetables as salads and enjoy long healthy tresses for lifetime.
Whole Wheat Pasta
Whole wheat or whole grains are sources of complex carbohydrates. B- vitamins, zinc and other minerals present in wheat promotes cell growth around hair follicles.
Lack of zinc and B vitamins lead to hair loss and dryness of shafts, but can be easily prevented if you include whole grains in any form in your daily diet.
Eggs
A complete source of all your requirements of proteins for hair is consuming eggs in any form-be it omelets, cakes or raw. Besides proteins, it also provides the essential vitamin B12 and A which have antioxidant properties.
Cell formation and repair are the main functions of protein that make hair glossy and healthy. This handy low-calorie source of protein can be easily included in daily diet to keep hair full on the head.
Nuts
Almonds, walnuts, peanuts and cashews are very important food for hair as they contain mineral called selenium that protects the scalp. Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, biotin and vitamin E which are excellent for hair growth and its maintenance.
Copper and zinc present in cashews and almonds maintain the level of melanin pigment in hair and prevent thinning of the same. Nuts can be liberally used in salads and toppings of desserts not to enhance the flavor but also to condition hair naturally.
Lentils
Tiny in size but mighty in benefits, Lentils are low-calorie and protein rich substitute for all who want to include zinc, biotin, folate and iron in their daily diet. Brown, red and green –all kinds can be made a staple diet rendering earthy flavor to it. Lentils are a perfect choice for all vegetarians who are deprived of healthy hair.
Milk and Its Products
Yogurt, cottage cheese, milk and low-fat varieties of cheese are hair-friendly options for all. Enriched with calcium, protein and vitamin B5 and D, these products help in the growth of hair follicle. They nourish as well as condition the scalp.
These healthy hair foods can be easily added to the daily diet regime and help in refurbishing hair from root to tip and providing the luster to your tresses.
