With winter fast approaching, we thought it a good idea to share our top tips with you for foods which can help your hair health so that you can really make the most of the hair you were blessed with, even when the weather is doing its dogged best to make it frizzy and untameable! 

Here at David & David we firmly believe in the holistic approach to healthy hair. You can’t expect a tree to grow well in contaminated soil, and likewise you can’t expect to grow shiny, strong beautiful hair if you don’t look after your overall health and diet.

Which Foods Can Help me Have Healthier Hair?

Whilst you can’t change factors like genetics or age, what you eat can have a huge effect on the health of your hair. Eating a balanced, nutritious diet can help promote healthy hair growth, especially if you’re experiencing hair loss due to poor nutrition. Eating well can improve your mood, your vitality and also help your skin and hair glow from within. By choosing clean, nutritious foods, you can really give your natural hair the best chance of being the very best version of itself it can be.  

We believe that there are three main essentials when it comes to healthy hair growth:

• Staying hydrated and drinking lots of water
• Choosing good food for healthy hair via a healthy, balanced diet
• Taking good care of your scalp by keeping it clean and free of build-up

6 Foods for Stronger Hair

Good health starts from within and it’s true what they say, you really are what you eat.  Here are six  foods which might be beneficial towards helping you achieve healthier, stronger, shinier hair.

1. Eggs

Two nutrients which can be beneficial for healthy hair are protein and biotin. Eggs are a rich source of both of these nutrients and, when eaten as part of a healthy diet, can promote healthy hair and strong growth with less split ends and breakages. Biotin is essential for the production of a hair protein called keratin. Keratin is the structural building block of your hair and so by consuming more eggs, it can help you to achieve a healthier, stronger you. Eggs are also a great source of zinc, selenium and other hair-healthy nutrients so be sure to enjoy eggs as part of a healthy balanced diet. 

2. Avocados

Avocados are a nutrition powerhouse which contain magnesium, vitamins C and D, E, potassium and vitamin B6. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant and can help to reduce stress and free radicals which could potentially negatively impact the scalp.  Avocados are also rich in essential fatty acids which are a vital component in building cells. Our bodies can’t produce fatty acids and so it’s important we include foods like avocados as an overall health-boosting nutrient-rich addition to our balanced diet.

3. Green Leafy Vegetables

“Eat your greens” is an oft-used phrase which has been passed down through the generations, and for good reason. Leafy greens such as spinach are jam-packed full of beneficial nutrients like folate, iron, and vitamins A and C, all of which may promote hair growth. A cup of spinach can provide up to 54% of your daily vitamin A needs which is great news for hair because Vitamin A helps the skin glands produce sebum which moisturizes the scalp to keep hair healthy. Spinach is also a brilliant source of plant-based iron – iron is crucial as it helps red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body to fuel your metabolism and aid growth and repair. Without adequate iron in your diet your hair will definitely suffer. 

4. Fatty Fish

Omegas have been linked to healthy growth of skin and hair, and fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and herring are full of omega-3s which can contribute to a healthy, strong head of hair. A study found that omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids were pivotal in reducing hair loss and increasing hair density, so opt for the salmon or mackerel when you next dine out and be glad that we live in a sea-faring city where such delicacies are available fresh from the boat!

5. Nuts and Seeds

Just like fatty fish, nuts and seeds are full of good omegas and all manner of powerful nutrients which can be beneficial to hair health. Just 28 grams of  almonds provides an impressive 37% of your daily vitamin E needs, and flaxseeds and chia seeds are bursting with vitamin E goodness. This vitamin is essential for healthy skin, which includes the skin on your scalp! A healthy head of hair can’t grow if your scalp is in a bad condition, so getting enough vitamin E is vital. Nuts are an easy (and delicious) way of incorporating B vitamins, zinc and essential fatty acids into your diet. 

6. Good Hydration

Drinking more than 8 glasses of water a day helps to support and revitalise hair growth from root to tip. Being hydrated also helps prevent split ends and stops hair from becoming brittle and snapping. If you drink enough water your whole body will benefit, and that means your overall health will flourish as a result. A more hydrated you means a more hydrated scalp which cuts your chances of developing skin problems like dryness, itchiness, or dandruff. 

If the idea of getting all these vitamins into your diet sounds difficult, fear not! It’s easier than you might think. Sprinkle nuts and seeds onto your porridge or salad for added omegas, stir peas into your risotto for added B vitamins, or choose a berry smoothie instead of your usual coffee one morning a week. Taking small positive steps can make a huge difference to your overall hair health and ensure your tresses are as shiny and strong as can be. 

When you come to visit us next, let us know the changes you’ve made and I’ll bet you see a difference when you look in the salon mirror…. We can’t wait to see you at your next appointment and make you feel fabulous 🙂