A diet filled with tomatoes, sweet potato and cereal could be the secret to getting healthier skin and hair.
Well that’s according to the hair and beauty experts from Hairtrade.com who have compiled a list of the top ten foods which can help your hair and skin look healthier.
The list is full of meals and snacks packed with nutrients including blueberries and nuts. Other suggestions include chicken and kale which are full of protein and iron, perfect for having strong hair, skin and even nails. Oily fish such as salmon popular choice, as was eggs due to healthy nutrients such as Omega-3 and biotin.
Joanne Dodds, from Hairtrade.com, said: “Using the right products is essential for healthy skin and hair but what you eat can also have a big effect. Important vitamins and minerals can all be found in common foods that will make a big difference to how healthy your hair and skin look.
“Having a salad filled with chicken, tomatoes and nuts can provide a lot of the essentials needed for healthy skin. Or a meal with salmon, sweet potatoes and kale can help your hair look as healthy as possible whilst also preventing potential hair loss. Small changes to your diet could make a big difference to your hair and beauty regime and give you the look you’ve been wanting.”
Here are the top foods:
1. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are an excellent example of foods rich in an antioxidant called selenium. Having selenium in your diet can help prevent sun damage as well as age spots, both of which are big skin problems.
2. Blueberries
Blueberries have long been hailed as one of the best sources of important nutrients and antioxidants. The little berries are packed with vitamin C which helps produce collagen, aiding the health and appearance of skin and hair.
3. Oily fish
Salmon is a classic example of a meal packed with Omega-3, which is a nutrient that can reduce inflammatory skin conditions, help look after your scalp and aid your skin in looking smoother and younger.
4. Nuts
Nuts provide a variety of hair and skin friendly nutrients such as zinc, selenium and vitamin E. Vitamin E can provide protection against sun damage as well as environmental pollution so is a necessity for healthy skin and hair.
5. Fortified cereals
Fortified cereals are a great source of zinc as well as other minerals. A diet lacking in zinc can lead to hair loss as well as a dry, itchy scalp so it’s important to be getting plenty.
6. Water
Drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day is essential for healthy skin and hair. Staying hydrated will keep your skin moisturised, improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
7. Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamin A, which is essential for the body’s production of sebum. Simply put, sebum is the oily substance produced by our hairs glands and is necessary for a healthy scalp.
8. Eggs
Egg yolks contain a substance called biotin, a water-soluble B vitamin. A lack of biotin in the body may cause brittle hair and even hair loss so it’s an essential vitamin to have in your diet.
9. Kale
Kale has been classed as a ‘super-food’ largely due to its high iron content. Hair follicles are fed by your blood supply, therefore if your blood is lacking in iron it can affect hair growth and may even result in shedding.
10. Chicken
Some love it, some think it’s boring but chicken is a great source of protein. Both your hair and skin is made up of protein so a lack of it in your diet could lead to brittle hair as well as dry skin.
Main image above credit: FreeImages.com/Stephanie Berghaeuser
