Foods That Grow Long & Healthy Hair

Like the rest of the body, your hair requires proper nutrition for optimal growth. There are specific foods that you can eat to ensure that your hair grows healthy and long. Add some of these to your balanced diet to keep up the health of your hair.

Fish

Foods rich in fatty acids can help soften hair that is brittle or breaks easily, according to Hairstyle.com. Fish provides a great source of fatty acids, especially omega-3 fatty acids. Sardines, tuna, and salmon can all help your hair stay soft.

Seeds

Oils from seeds are a great way to avoid dry and brittle hair, notes Hairstyle.com. Get these oils through your diet, or sprinkle small amounts directly onto your hair. Flaxseed oil can be added to oatmeal for your morning meal, or pumpkin and sesame seed can be had as a midday snack. Flaxseed oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Spinach

According to The Mayo Clinic, spinach helps keep both your skin and your hair healthy. In addition to being a good source of calcium and iron, the plant compounds in the vegetable boost the health of your hair.

Meat

According to Brian Thompson, a leading trichologist, protein is required for a healthy mane. Protein provides the building blocks of hair, and Thompson recommends eating red meat twice a week for healthy hair. If you don't eat red meat, he recommends egg whites.

Avocados and Nuts

The Mayo Clinic points out that fats are necessary to maintain a healthy head of hair, but it recommend you stay away from foods that are high in unhealthy fats, such as saturated and trans fats, that can cause damage to other areas of your body. It suggests avocados and nuts, which have high amounts of healthy monounsaturated fats.

Avocados and Nuts

Drinking lots of water doesn't just keep you hydrated, it keeps your hair healthy. Just like every other part of your body, water is essential for the proper flow of nutrients in the roots of your hair and your scalp. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends replacing sugar sweetened beverages with water so you can maximize your daily intake.

References

Article reviewed by Elizabeth Ahders Last updated on: Dec 22, 2009

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