While most people care for their tresses by purchasing expensive serums and shampoos, the true secret to beautiful hair is following a healthy diet. Just like the rest of the body, the hair needs proper nutrition in order to stay strong and maintain its shine and softness. Topical products like shampoos and masks can help your locks stay healthy from the outside, but a nutritious diet is critical to nourishing tresses from the inside out. The following foods are brimming with hair nourishing nutrients.

Pumpkin Seeds:

Pumpkin seeds are rich in Vitamin E, which is essential for healthy hair. Vitamin E functions as an antioxidant in the body and helps to rebuild and repair tissue, including the hair follicles. This powerful micronutrient also combats inflammation caused by oxidative stress, which has been linked to hair loss. Research has shown that supplementation with vitamin E increases hair growth in individuals with thinning hair.1 Pumpkin seeds are a delicious way to get your daily dose of this powerful vitamin.

Red Bell Peppers:

While citrus foods usually take credit for being highest in vitamin C, red bell peppers contain much more vitamin C than an orange. Vitamin C is important for hair health in many ways. This vitamin helps to ensure that there is enough iron in red blood cells in order to properly oxygenate the blood and nourish hair follicles. Vitamin C also forms collagen, which gives blood vessels strength and flexibility and allows blood to be transported throughout the body, feeding the hair. Collagen is also vital for the production of keratin, a protein that makes up the majority of the hair.2

Wild Caught Salmon:

Wild caught salmon is an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids, meaning that they must be acquired through the diet because the body cannot produce them on its own. These special fats
work to nurture the hair from the inside out by supporting healthy follicle structure and growth. Omega 3 fatty acids contain powerful antioxidant properties and work to reduce inflammation, which is associated with thinning tresses.

Spinach:

This leafy green is full of hair benefiting vitamins, including B vitamins. B vitamins function to turn food into energy for the body to utilize. Consuming foods rich in B vitamins ensures that the hair is being provided with the energy and nutrition it needs to grow thick and healthy. Spinach is also rich in folate, a B vitamin that helps to create red blood cells that are responsible for nourishing the hair follicles and stimulating new growth.

Oysters:

Oysters are a rich source of the mineral zinc. Zinc plays a central role in the growth and repair of tissue, making it an indispensable nutrient when it comes to hair health. In fact, a diet low in zinc can result in slow growing hair, a dry scalp, and even hair loss.3Oysters are also high in selenium, which is a mineral that helps to protect hair follicles from oxidative stress.4

Remember, the best hair care routine starts in the kitchen. By including these nourishing foods in your diet, you will be giving your hair the nutrition it needs to stay healthy and radiant.