The nutrition your hair receives is affected by the food you eat. If you’re not eating a balanced diet, it could lead to hair loss. Eating healthy is important for many reasons, and now you can add healthy hair to the list. If you want to keep your locks luscious and prevent hair loss, experts say to avoid some foods that make thinning worse.
What are the foods?
Let’s dive into the top 5 foods you should avoid to prevent hair loss.
Sugar:
Sugar causes poor circulation of the blood, so it is hard for it to reach the hair follicles. When the follicles don’t receive enough nutrients, it causes the hair to thin. The excess of sugar causes scalp inflammation, which means that the follicles are not able to function properly leading to hair damage. It also raises testosterone levels, which can lead to hair loss. So, if you want to keep your hair, cut down on the sugar.
Dairy:
Dairy contains an amount of fat that can lead to inflammation and sebum build-up on the scalp. This can damage the hair follicles and prevent them from growing healthy hair. Fat clogs the pores and doesn’t allow the scalp to breathe, which is important for healthy hair growth. Dairy products tend to be high in sugar as well, so it’s best to avoid them if you’re trying to prevent hair loss.
Alcohol:
Alcohol is not hair friendly at all. It dehydrates the body and the scalp, which can lead to hair breakage. Alcohol also inhibits the absorption of nutrients, so the follicles don’t receive the nutrients they need to grow healthy hair. In addition, it raises testosterone levels, which as we mentioned before, can lead to hair loss. Alcohol reduces the zinc and folic acid levels in the body, which are important for hair volume and growth.
Refined Carbs:
Most of the time, refined carbs are people’s favorite go-to foods. But they’re not doing any good for your hair. Refined carbs are stripped of their nutrients and fiber, which can lead to a host of problems, one of them being hair loss. When the body doesn’t receive the nutrients it needs, it starts to shut down certain functions, one of them being hair growth. The sebum, or natural oil, that’s produced by the scalp is also affected by refined carbs. When sebum is imbalanced, it makes your hair look greasy and can lead to hair loss because it covers the whole follicle.
Caffeine:
Caffeine can be found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and even chocolate. While it’s great for giving you a boost of energy, it’s not so great for your hair. Caffeine dehydrates the body and the scalp, which leads to dryness and makes the hair more susceptible to breakage. It also constricts the blood vessels, which doesn’t allow nutrients and oxygen to reach the hair follicles. When the follicles don’t receive enough nutrients, it leads to hair loss.
So, there you have it, the top 5 foods to avoid if you want to prevent hair loss. While diet is just one factor that can affect hair loss, it’s important to pay attention to what you’re eating and how it might be affecting your hair. So, cut out those refined carbs, sugar-filled dairy products, and sugary drinks. And make sure to get enough protein, vitamins, and minerals to keep your hair looking its best.
What foods do you recommend instead?
How healthy and fast your hair grows depends on a variety of factors, but what you eat definitely plays a role. If you’re looking to promote hair growth and prevent hair loss, experts recommend eating plenty of protein, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc.
If you’re looking for foods that will cause healthy hair growth, here are a few suggestions.
Eggs:
Eggs are a great source of protein and biotin, which are both essential for healthy hair. Protein provides the building blocks for hair growth, while biotin helps to produce keratin, a key component of hair. Eggs are also a good source of iron which makes sure that the blood is carrying oxygen to the follicles.
Sweet potatoes:
Sweet potatoes are a good source of beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. Vitamin A is important for a healthy scalp and skin, both of which are necessary for hair growth. Sweet potatoes are also a good source of vitamins C and E, which are antioxidants that help to protect the hair follicles from damage.
Spinach:
Spinach is packed with nutrients that are essential for healthy hair growth. It’s a great source of vitamins A, C, and E, which help to produce sebum, a natural oil that keeps the scalp healthy and moisturized. It also contains iron, magnesium, and calcium, which are all important for hair growth. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, so it helps to protect the cells from damage.
Nuts and seeds:
Nuts are a great source of protein, biotin, and zinc, all of which are essential for healthy hair growth. Nuts and seeds are a good source of zinc, which is necessary for cell growth and the production of testosterone. Zinc also helps to keep the scalp healthy and can prevent dandruff. They are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help to keep the hair moisturized and prevent breakage.
Avocado:
Avocados are a good source of biotin, which is necessary for hair growth. They also contain vitamins C and E, which help to protect the cells from damage. Avocados are also a good source of healthy fats, which help to keep the hair moisturized and prevent breakage. Vitamin E protects some areas of the scalp from UV damage and oxidative stress.
Hair loss – Bottom line
Hair loss can be a frustrating and embarrassing problem, but by paying attention to your diet, you can help to prevent it. What we put in our body has an impact on our hair, skin and overall well being. If you’re looking for foods that promote hair growth and prevent hair loss, make sure to include plenty of protein, iron, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. And remember to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, as they are packed with vitamins and minerals that are essential for healthy hair.