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Foods That Can Help Your Hair Grow Faster

4 min read

By Catherine Roberts

Medically Reviewed by Julie Ching, MS, RDN, CDE

Most men and women care a great deal about their hair. That’s why it’s so devastating when one gets a misguided cut and finds themselves desperate to grow their hair back at a rapid pace. Then there are those times when one simply wants longer locks and looks for a safe and effective way to grow hair fast.

The good news is that there are a number of foods that can help promote rapid hair growth. Even better, most are widely available and may be in your fridge, freezer, or pantry right now…

Salmon

Salmon is loaded with vitamins and nutrients that help promote the growth of hair, starting with vitamin D (which can also help fend off seasonal depression) and protein (which can help you stave off cravings for unhealthy food items).

Salmon also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to better heart health and brain functionality. Not only that, but omega-3 fatty acids can promote hair growth through keeping your scalp looking and feeling healthy.

Yellow Peppers

What do you reach for when a cold starts to set in? Like most people, you probably seek out vitamin C, which means you might reach for an orange. But yellow peppers actually contain far more vitamin C than oranges.

And vitamin C isn’t just for fighting colds, it’s also helpful in strengthening the hair shaft and hair follicles. That means a diet high in C vitamins will prevent breakage and hair loss. It can also keep your hair looking full and healthy.

Oysters

Oysters are a rather divisive food. You either love them or hate them. But there’s good news if they’re one of your favorite seafood dishes, they can seriously help promote hair health and encourage hair growth.

That’s because oysters contain loads of the nutrient zinc, which can help prevent hair loss and scalp health problems. In fact, just three ounces of oysters contain roughly 500-percent of your daily zinc requirement.

Eggs

Eggs are healthy for a variety of reasons. Firstly, they contain loads of protein, which can help you feel full for a longer period of time and keep you away from unhealthy snacks.

But eggs also contain omega-3 fatty acids, which can promote hair growth and keep your scalp feeling moisturized and healthy. Beyond that, eggs contain biotin, which can also help encourage hair growth. That said, most of these properties can be found in the egg white, so if you’re trying to lose weight, don’t be afraid to cut out the yolk or use one whole egg and one egg white.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. Not only are they delicious, but they’re absolutely loaded with healthy vitamins and nutrients. Take, for example, the abundance of beta carotene and vitamin A in sweet potatoes.

This combination can help keep your scalp healthy and promote hair growth. There are many ways to prepare sweet potatoes, from baking them to whipping them and even cutting them up into fries. Just make sure to take it easy on the salt.

Avocados

Avocados make an excellent addition to just about any sandwich or salad but they’re best known for their fundamental role in guacamole, arguably the ultimate party dip. When it comes to nutrition, avocados are excellent. They’re loaded with essential fatty acids that can help keep skin feeling smooth and supple.

But you don’t just have to eat avocados to help your hair grow. Experts recommend actually mixing a little avocado with sour cream and applying it directly to the hair and scalp. Such a mixture can help exfoliate dead skin and promote hair growth.

Almonds

Almonds have become a go-to snack for the seriously health conscious. That’s because they’re packed with healthy fats and protein. Together these nutrients can help prevent binge eating and keep dieters away from less healthy food items.

However, almonds are also great for hair growth. That’s because they’re loaded with biotin, which has been linked to hair growth. To see results, have a handful of almonds every day for a couple months.

Olive Oil

Olive oil, especially the extra virgin variety, has become one of the world’s most popular cooking oils. And no wonder! Unlike other oils, like vegetable or peanut oil, it’s full of essential fatty acids that promote heart health.

But olive oil is also great for the hair and can prevent frizz. In addition, its anti-inflammatory properties can soothe the scalp and prevent skin irritation, according to LiveStrong. The trick is to rub the oil directly into the hair.

MS, RDN, CDCES

Julie Ching is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator in Los Angeles. She decided to become a Dietitian after traveling through Europe, South America, and Asia and discovered a passion for food. She now works with people of all ages and varying disease states to improve their health. She is passionate about teaching people about nutrition so they can live their best life while still considering their cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

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