Perhaps you've put all your #hairgoals on the shoulders of shampoos, conditioners and products, but did you know certain foods can fill you up and give you the body and length your heart desires?
Certain nutrients in foods can promote healthy hair growth, making your locks look as glamorous as ever. And as an added benefit, these nutrients also have a variety of other health benefits.
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The following nine foods can promote healthy hair growth:
Salmon
In addition to its other health benefits, salmon has a double benefit for your hair – omega-3 fatty acids and protein. Omega-3s are beneficial fats that your body doesn't make itself, so you can only get them through your diet or supplements. According to Dr. Oz, they help nourish and moisturize your scalp, reduce inflammation and make your hair less dry and brittle. The protein in salmon will help keep your hair strong, which also makes it less prone to breakage.
Credit: Mike Groll
Credit: Mike Groll
Greek yogurt
Greek yogurt contains vitamin B5, which is also called pantothenic acid, according to WebMD. This ingredient can also be found in some hair care products, and it helps promote blood flow to your scalp as well as hair growth. In addition, Greek yogurt has a lot of protein to help strengthen your hair.
Lean red meat
Moderate servings of lean red meat can help protect your hair against dryness, dullness and breakage. That's because it has a lot of iron, which helps keep your hair healthy, U.S. News & World Report reported. An iron deficiency can also do more than damage the hair you have - if you're not getting enough of this mineral, you may have some hair loss as well.
Avocados
Packed with monounsaturated fats, avocados can help keep your hair shiny and soft. Adding a quarter- to a half-cup to meals will help your hair get what it needs, according to Dr. Oz. Or, if you don't like the taste of them, try mashing them up with some olive or coconut oil and applying it to the ends of your hair to soften them.
Spinach and kale
Per WebMD, spinach and kale help keep your hair moisturized so it's less prone to breakage, while also promoting a healthy scalp. These leafy green vegetables contain lots of vitamins A and C, iron, beta carotene and folate, all of which help make your hair and scalp healthier.
Chicken
Three ounces of chicken has about 23 grams of protein, which is about half the minimum that most women need in a day, according to U.S. News & World Report. Protein helps promote cell growth and repair in addition to making your hair stronger.
Blueberries
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps your body absorb iron and also helps it produce collagen, which strengthens the capillaries that supply the hair shaft, as stated at BBC's goodfood site. You'll get a good dose in blueberries, as well as in foods such as strawberries, papaya, oranges, kiwis, sweet potatoes and broccoli.
Credit: For The Washington Post
Credit: For The Washington Post
Legumes
Legumes - such as kidney, pinto and black beans, lentils, chickpeas and split peas - contain plenty of nutrients that are good for your hair, per U.S. News & World Report. You'll be getting a good dose of iron, zinc and biotin (a B vitamin that helps your hair stay healthy) when you eat legumes.
Carrots
According to BBC goodfood, Carrots contain a lot of vitamin A, which helps make sebum. This substance is a natural moisturizer made by your hair's sebaceous glands, and it helps you avoid dry hair and an itchy scalp. For other foods that deliver a boost of vitamin A, try pumpkins and sweet potatoes.
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