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Unlike our faces, our hair often gets less attention. We only bother about our tresses when the damage has already been done - which might be a little too late. If you can’t be bothered with slathering on conditioner after conditioner, you can always choose the easier (and healthier) way out. Here are some foods that promise to give you luscious glowing locks in a few bites.
LOAD UP ON (DARK) GREENS
We all know that vegetables are great for us, but picking the right type can make a difference to your hair too. Opting for darker greens like broccoli, spinach or kale will invariably make your hair more hydrated. Darker vegetables are loaded with Vitamins A and C, which the body uses to produce sebum for shiny hydrated hair.
NUTTIFY YOUR DIET
I’m not sure about you, but when I was growing up in Singapore, I had fond memories of the kachang puteh man. And as it turns out, having a nutty treat every weekend may have played a part in my luscious locks. Nuts contain the vital mineral Zinc, and a deficiency in Zinc is linked to hair loss. So if you want to prevent losing your mane, load up on raw uncooked nuts - as zinc may be destroyed in the cooking process.
BE A CARNIVORE
Unless of course, you’re a vegetarian. Hairs are made up of 80 percent protein, which is why a lack of this nutrient might result in limpy sad hair. To protect your tresses and make them grow, choose lean or red meats as they are higher in protein. Alternatively, if you prefer greens, get your protein fix from beans or lentils.
EGG IT
Poached, boiled, or even raw, eggs are a great source of protein and Vitamin B biotin. Biotin is crucial for hair growth, with studies showing that a deficiency in it results in a thinner mane. But if you’re adverse to this yellow gooey goodness, biotin can be found in carrots, oats, and sweet potatoes, too.
BE A GREEK GODDESS
Have you ever wondered why Greek gods are always depicted with long, flowing locks? Even when they’re set in stone?! It might have to do with their Mediterranean diets. Calcium is an important source for continued hair growth, and we all know that the Greeks love their yogurts. A serving or two of this milky goodness may leave you with a glossy mane that might even make Zeus jealous.
For more information on foods for great hair, visit huffingtonpost or WebMD.