Can Your Eating Habits Affect Hair Quality?

Everyone knows a healthy diet is good for you, but can eating habits directly affect the quality of your hair too? Read on for more about the connection between what you eat and your hair’s condition.

Like the skin, your hair can be an indicator of health. If you notice your hair thinning more than usual, you might want to pay attention to your eating habits. Studies show that there is a strong connection between hair and nutritional intake.

According to research, the quality and quantity of the food we consume directly affect hair condition. Are you thinking of going on a crash diet such as OMAD (one meal a day) or intermittent fasting? For your hair’s sake, think again. A lack of essential vitamins, proteins, and calories will result in dry, brittle hair. It is because the hair shaft consists of keratin, a protein crucial to healthy hair growth.

When your body doesn’t get the protein it needs, there’s no keratin for the hair follicles to consume either. You might be happy now that you fit into your old jeans, but your drab and thinning hair might not be.

Hair products with keratin can help revive dull, damaged hair. TRESemmé Keratin Smooth KERA10 Shampoo has KERA10 Protein Complex that penetrates hair 10 layers deep, making it soft and frizz-free. Follow with a treatment like Cream Silk Triple Keratin Rescue Ultimate Straight, which contains relaxers to tame rebellious frizz, serum to revive damage, and essence to restore dullness.

Here are more ways you can improve your hair quality by tweaking your diet.

To keep your hair at its best, eat protein-rich foods. Protein is the building block of keratin, which is essential for your hair’s health. Meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, and fish are good sources. Meanwhile, wild-caught mackerel, herring, sardines, bluefish, and salmon are also rich in omega-3. Consuming these can give your hair megawatt shine because of their fatty acids.

If fish isn’t your thing, take mom’s advice and eat your greens. Green, leafy vegetables are a great source of protein and have vitamins A, E, and D. You can also find healthy fats in nutrient-dense, unprocessed foods like yogurt, nuts, and avocados.

As if you needed another reason to avoid them, highly processed foods rich in simple sugars also indirectly contribute to excessive hair loss. Highly processed food, alcohol, and empty carbohydrates can rob your hair of the nutrients it needs. Instead of cutting junk food, try reducing snacks and adding more nutrient-rich food from plants, complex carbs, and whole grains to stay full and avoid fries and soda.

Besides hydrating your skin and supporting bodily functions, drinking plenty of water will do a lot for your locks – mineral water, specifically. Compared to distilled water, it has higher levels of natural, unprocessed essential trace minerals that will make their way to your hair. For example, it has magnesium and calcium, which prevent hair breakage and promote growth.

Having good eating habits won't do you much good if you overindulge in booze. We all enjoy the occasional glass of wine but don’t overdo it. While it doesn’t directly cause hair loss, excessive alcohol intake can disrupt your body’s ability to absorb essential vitamins and minerals. This can make your hair prone to breakage and inhibit hair growth. Drinking too much also causes dehydration, which causes scalp conditions such as weakened hair follicles.

Instead of hitting the club, sometimes all you need after a long day is some quiet me-time. Have a relaxing bath with your favorite self-care essentials and turn your regular shower into a spa experience with Sunsilk Smooth & Manageable Shampoo. Its unique formula has five flower essences to make your hair smoother and more fragrant.

Can your eating habits affect hair quality? The answer, it seems, is a resounding yes. Evidence suggests that a poor diet can result in dry, thinning hair. So go ahead and eat your way to strong and silky-smooth locks.