“Surrounded by so many noxious factors and having to face a stressful, hectic lifestyle, we sometimes find ourselves in the situation of being physically, mentally, and emotionally affected. When we are under stress, we can observe a dramatic change upon our skin, nails and hair. Moreover, all the styling products and tools we use everyday can negatively influence the health of our tresses. And it is true that hair care products are vital, yet without a balanced diet, full of nutrients, they are useless. Following the rule saying that beauty comes from the inside, here are the best foods for healthy hair.

For healthy hair, make sure you include vegetables into your daily diet, especially dark green ones, like spinach or broccoli, but carrots and radish represent also special nutrients for your hair. Spinach contains vitamins A and C which your body needs in order to produce sebum, while carrots are great for the scalp.

Essential fatty acids found in flaxseed oil, hempseed oil, dry fruits, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, Brazil nuts, sesame seeds, avocados, canola oil, soybean oil, wheat germ oil, salmon, mackerel, sardines, anchovies, albacore tuna, among others, are great for thin or dry hair, since many hair disorders are caused by different nutritional deficiencies. This type of foods act as antioxidants for the hair preventing its premature aging.

You should also include beans and lentils into your diet as they provide proteins that stimulate hair growth. Besides, another source of proteins for healthy hair can be found in poultry.

The vitamin B complex is also known for the benefits it has upon our hair. Vitamin B 12, found in liver, nuts, yeast, lean meats, dairy products and eggs, strengthens the hair, while vitamin B6, present in oranges, bananas, whole grains and vegetables, is excellent for preventing oily hair. On the other hand, vitamin B7 (yogurt, watermelon, citrus fruits) stimulate hair growth, vitamin B8 (eggs, soy, tomatoes) prevent hair loss, while vitamin B9, also known as folic acid, helps you keep the natural color of you hair. Vitamin B9 can be found in alfalfa, wheat germ, green leaves, carrots, parsley.

Vitamin E is vital for our organism as this antioxidant prevents free radical damage in biological membranes. Wheat germs, avocados, cucumbers, whole grains, and greens are sources of vitamin E.

A zinc deficiency can contribute to hair loss. Zinc is beneficial for cell reproduction, tissue growth and repair of broken tissues. It can be found in dry fruits, hazelnuts, garlic, lentils, beans, and soy. Still, remember that there are certain studies saying that too much zinc in the body can only harm your hair.”