Thin and brittle hair, prone to breakage, is a common concern that robs many women of their outer confidence. To address this issue, in addition to using hair growth support products, you also need to pay attention to building a balanced diet supplemented with essential nutrients so that your hair can be unexpectedly improved. Let’s explore 15 foods that stimulate faster and thicker hair growth with Hisako!
Below are 15 types of foods that stimulate hair growth that you should incorporate into your diet:
Nutritional deficiencies not only affect health but also harm the structure and normal development of hair. Once the body lacks essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, C, D, E, B, zinc, iron, protein, and other fatty acids, it can “choke” hair follicles, causing slow hair growth, premature graying, and even hair loss.
Here are 15 types of foods you should add to your diet to stimulate faster and thicker hair growth:
Salmon
The Omega-3 fatty acids in salmon play a crucial role in providing nutrients to hair follicles and stimulating the development of each hair strand. A study involving 120 women has shown that supplementing with fish, a source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, along with antioxidants, can help reduce hair loss and increase hair density. Additionally, salmon contains many types of vitamin B12 and iron, both of which also play a vital role in promoting hair growth.
Yellow Bell Peppers
Yellow bell peppers are an excellent source of vitamin C, which stimulates hair growth and promotes the development of hair strands. A yellow bell pepper contains a high amount of vitamin C, 5.5 times more than an orange. Vitamin C supports collagen production, making hair stronger and resilient to stress and oxidation. Furthermore, yellow bell peppers also provide vitamin A, promoting hair growth and stimulating sebum production to protect hair health.
Oysters
Oysters contain a large amount of zinc, which supports hair growth and regeneration. Zinc deficiency in the diet can contribute to telogen effluvium, a common condition of hair loss that can be restored through supplementation with essential nutrients.
Chicken
Chicken is a rich source of protein that stimulates hair growth and enhances keratin production. Keratin, a substance that makes up 80% of the hair structure, is essential for hair health. Deficiency in protein for just 2-3 months can lead to stunted growth and hair loss. Therefore, adequate protein supplementation is necessary to promote hair growth.
Eggs
In eggs, especially the yolk, there are many essential vitamins that help protect and restore hair health. Specifically, vitamin A, E, biotin, and folate (vitamin B9) are important nutrients found in eggs, promoting hair growth and maintaining its health.
Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds stimulate hair growth because they contain a lot of zinc, an important nutrient that stimulates the growth of hair follicles. Additionally, sunflower seeds are rich in vitamin E, which improves blood circulation on the scalp, thereby aiding in the recovery of damaged hair fibers and promoting faster and thicker hair growth. Vitamin B6, also found in sunflower seeds, enhances oxygen supply to hair follicles, preventing hair loss and making hair soft, shiny, and evenly colored.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of beta-carotene, a nutrient that the body can easily convert into vitamin A – an important vitamin related to hair health. An average sweet potato (about 114 grams) provides enough beta-carotene to meet four times the daily vitamin A requirement for humans. Vitamin A stimulates sebum production, keeping hair healthy. Additionally, this amount of vitamin A also helps increase the speed of hair growth, resulting in thicker and shinier hair.
Avocado
Vitamin E in avocados is known to be beneficial for hair development as it can prevent oxidation, protect hair follicles, reduce breakage, and stimulate hair growth.
Almonds
Each almond contains a lot of vitamin H (Biotin), an important nutrient that helps repair and nourish hair from within. Supplementing the 15 types of hair growth-stimulating foods listed above into your daily diet will provide additional nutrients for your hair, helping the hair growth process to proceed faster, resulting in long, smooth, and healthy hair.
Carrots
Beta-carotene is a nutrient present in carrots, and when consumed by the body, it is converted into vitamin A – an essential vitamin in supporting the development and health of hair. Additionally, yellow and orange vegetables, such as carrots, are also rich sources of beta-carotene.
Seaweed
Seaweed contains many vitamins and minerals essential for hair growth such as vitamin B12, vitamin B5, L-lysine, iron, zinc, and magnesium. This is considered one of the foods that stimulates fast hair growth and thicker hair.
Walnuts
This food provides 25% of the magnesium that the human body needs daily. Walnuts help supply magnesium and vitamin E, preventing hair loss and promoting hair growth.
In addition, walnuts also contain a high amount of protein, supporting the recovery process for damaged hair and stimulating new hair growth rapidly. Vitamin B improves the condition of brittle and split ends.
Spinach
Spinach is a food that stimulates hair growth, rich in vitamins A, B, E, C, and some minerals such as iron, magnesium, and potassium, beneficial for both hair and the body. Adding watercress to your daily diet helps stimulate blood circulation. This helps blood flow easily through hair follicles to supply nutrients, making hair healthy, shiny, and supporting longer hair growth.
Lentils
Lentils contain many iron, zinc, and choline – important nutrients essential for nurturing the healthy development of hair strands. It is recommended to regularly supplement lentils into your daily diet to help hair grow stronger.
Pumpkin Seeds
In pumpkin seeds, there is a large amount of vitamins and nutrients. Specifically, this type of seed provides a significant amount of vitamins such as B1, B2, B3, and B4 – all of which are important vitamins needed to nurture hair growth. Additionally, pumpkin seeds also contain vitamin B5 and B6, helping protect the scalp and reduce hair breakage.
