Even if you’re using the most expensive product in the world, if the hair is lacking the basic nutrients, it will not grow well, regardless of your hair product being $1 or $1000. And from where do we obtain the basic nutrients for our hair? From the food you eat everyday.
Hello! My name is Zell. In this article, we’re going to continue the topic that I have written before - food that are good for hair. This will be a part 2 of this food series. Let’s look at this from a realistic point of view. If you have not been drinking water and noticed that your face is really dry, applying a dozen face mask is not going to solve the root problem. The problem is that you are dehydrating, which results in dryness of body parts. The same goes for our hair too.
For this part 2, I’m going to focus on the different inexpensive (and can be easily purchased) food that boosts hair growth because as we grow older, thinning hair is a sign of aging. But if we are focused on the right food consistently, we can all still have thick and healthy hair. Let us begin -
Apple
Apparently, an apple a day keeps the hair doctor away too. As basic as it sounds, apples are really good for hair, especially the skin. The Phenolic compound and biotin in the apple skin can help to strengthen the roots and promotes hair growth naturally.
Also, the red fruit has antioxidants and vitamins that can do wonders for your hair. The antioxidants may also help to reduce the risk of developing cancer, diabetes and heart disease. There is no reason not to eat apples now, right? Hoho.
Soybeans
This is genuinely my favourite of all favourites. Honestly, who doesn't like Lao Ban Soya Beancurd? The astonishingly smooth texture and the taste of the soft milky curds. And the way the soft curds dissolve in your mouth... Wow, let me wipe my saliva, seriously, I can go on and on forever but unfortunately, this is not a food blog. Hahaha. Let’s get back to the topic.
One very good thing about soybeans is that it contains a lot of spermidine and studies have shown that this compound may promote hair growth. In a study of 100 healthy people, it was found that a spermidine-based nutritional supplement prolonged the anagen phase, the phase of active hair growth.
What is the anagen phase?
There are 3 stages of the hair growth cycle. Anagen (Growing), Catagen (Intermediate) and Telogen (Shedding). The Anagen phase, also known as the growing phase, typically lasts for 3 to 5 years, with the hair length averaging 18 to 30 inches. Each strand of hair will go through this 3 stages so every 3 to 5 years a new strand in the hair follicle will undergo this 3 stages until the follicle stops growing hair.
With a prolonged Anagen phase, the hair can continue to grow, exceeding the average of 18 to 30 inches over its lifetime. So… Lao Ban, anybody? :)
Sweet Potatoes
If you frequent Don Don Donki, I’m sure you will stop at the entrance for a while. With your nose curiously smelling and caught by this huge wave of sweet-smelling food aroma coming from their freshly baked sweet potatoes. This small little piece of goodness is a great source of beta-carotene.
What is beta-carotene?
It is an antioxidant that converts to vitamin A and helps to protect against dry and dull hair. It also encourages the scalp glands to produce sebum that keeps hair from drying out. And lastly, it also encourages the regrowth of thinning hair.
A medium sweet potato contains enough beta-carotene to provide more than 4 times your daily vitamin A needs. Which means you don’t have to eat an entire piece of sweet potato to get your daily required vitamin A for your body. A quarter of it is good enough. Although the maltose in it is about a third as sweet as table sugar, eat in moderation, please! They are called sweet potato, remember?
Grapes
Of all the food that we introduced, in my opinion, grapes are considered one of the best. One of the top choices of my evening snacks. Similar to carrots, grapes also contain many different nutrients, such as protein, beta-carotene, lutein, vitamin c, vitamin k, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin b6, potassium, and manganese. Grapes have a very good combination of the nutrients the hair needs. Also, as it is also high in water content, it helps to detoxify our body and prevent hair fall.
One good news is, although they contain sugar, they have a low glycemic index and don’t appear to raise your blood sugar levels. But of course, that doesn’t give you the reason to eat a few kilograms of grapes at once. The usual rule, eat in moderation! :)
Other than it being really helpful for our hair, it also helps to protect against heart disease, lower blood pressure, and protection against certain types of cancer. It’s really cool. I’m actually very impressed while writing this and I’m heading out now to buy some grapes. You should buy some too! Haha.
In conclusion, I have seen ladies who have not done anything to their hair before but the hair is really dry and coarse. That is a sign of the hair shouting for help. Sometimes the answer is really simple, if the hair looks lifeless and lacking nutrients, the answer is, just give it some nutrients. There is a misconception that there must be some miracle product that can resolve all the hair issues. It might, temporarily. I acknowledge that there are some really good products but you see, if the hair is lacking nutrients, it is lacking nutrients, it is not lacking product.
Just like if your plant is not growing well and the soil has no nutrient, it wouldn’t grow even if you water it with spring water from the mountains. Therefore, eat foods that are good for the hair and body. Carrots, grapes, soybeans, eggs, etc. It’s a lot cheaper than buying an expensive set of hair products.
If you need any help on your hair issue, you know where to find us. Just head to our fb page and send us a message. Or if you have booked an appointment with us on our website, you should have my number. Send me a message. Ask me anything, hair loss, hair care routine, hair maintenance. I’m always here to help you! :)
Zell
Steve V Hair Studio
Bugis Cube (opposite Bugis Junction)
#04-04 S'pore 188735
Tel no: 6336 1476