It takes more than a good shampoo and conditioner to help your hair look its best. Your hair is affected by the foods you eat. Your hair shows how well or poorly you are feeding your body. A poor diet can lead to hair loss or make your hair look dull, brittle and thin. Of course, many other lifestyle choices also play a role in affecting your hair health, including smoking and how often you oil your hair, but by eating nutrient-rich foods and avoiding foods that only cause harm, you can influence your hair's growth, volume, shine and the likelihood of it going gray.
Below are the 10 worst foods for hair you should avoid:
1. Sugar
Sugar is not good for your hair; it promotes inflammation. High sugar intake increases blood sugar levels, which increases insulin and androgen levels, which then attach to hair follicles and potentially increase hair loss. This doesn’t mean you should stop consuming sugar completely; this is generally seen in people who have high insulin levels for a long period of time. Over a long period of time, when high sugar intake continuously increases inflammation, it affects the immune system and overall affects hair health.
If you have a sweet tooth, add some fresh fruits to your diet as these nourish your body while also satiating your sweet cravings.
2. Alcohol
Any alcoholic beverage, including liquor, beer, and wine, interferes with zinc metabolism and reduces zinc levels in the body. Zinc is an important mineral that plays a vital role in your hair growth. When zinc levels are too low, it inhibits hair growth and hair loss may begin. Alcohol also dehydrates you and can make your hair brittle, dry and more prone to breakage.
3. Starchy foods
Foods like cakes, white bread and pasta contain starch. Processed starches break down quickly into sugar in the body and lead to thinning of hair. Research has also shown that starchy food can increase androgen levels, especially an androgen called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which can shorten hair growth cycles and thin hair follicles. So, limit such foods and consume whole wheat whenever possible.
4. Salt
Salt should be consumed in moderation. The side effects of consuming excessive amounts of salt are not just limited to kidney problems and high blood pressure, but it can also wreak havoc on your hair. Salt is considered harmful for hair as it contains sodium which has its own side effects. So, always choose a low-sodium and low-salt diet. You should eat sea salt which is another form of salt that contains 26 minerals that give your hair better shine, thickness, and strength as it increases blood circulation in the scalp thereby boosting hair growth.
5. Diet Soda
Diet soda contains artificial sweeteners like aspartame, which are not good for your hair. Aspartame can lead to hair loss and hair fall. Not only bad for hair, but aspartame can also cause depression, arthritis, impotence, and inflammation. Staying away from such beverages completely will keep your hair shiny and healthy. You can consume natural healthy beverages instead of diet soda to stay hydrated.
6. Zinc and Iron Deficiency
Zinc plays an important role in hair growth and repair. Zinc inhibits the DHT hormone that causes alopecia. Zinc is also essential to produce sebum, which is the natural oil secreted by the scalp that helps keep hair healthy and strengthen hair follicles. Zinc deficiency can lead to dull hair and even hair loss.
Iron deficiency means your body cannot produce enough hemoglobin in your blood. This red protein is responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood for cell growth and repair, including cells that stimulate hair growth. Iron deficiency can lead to hair loss.
7. Insufficient Protein
Eating enough protein is important for healthy and strong hair. Protein promotes hair growth because hair follicles are made of the protein keratin. Keratin helps keep your hair healthy. A protein-rich diet helps the body produce keratin, which is fundamental to hair structure. When keratin weakens, hair becomes dry and brittle.
8. Greasy foods
Foods that are high in saturated fat and trans fat can not only clog arteries but also clog the sweat pores on your scalp and make hair greasy. As the scalp pores get clogged, harmful hormones get trapped, which can trigger the process of hair loss. Avoid foods that are high in saturated fat such as hard margarine, butter and fried foods.
9. Excess of Vitamin A
While Vitamin A helps the skin glands to produce sebum, the natural oily substance that moisturizes the scalp and helps keep hair healthy. Excess of Vitamin A can lead to hair loss and can be toxic to the hair follicles. Excess Vitamin A in the body can shrink the oil gland; as a result, the oil gland cannot produce the amount of oil that is needed to coat the hair and make them shiny and healthy.
This does not mean that you should stop eating carrots because millions of carrots are needed for excessive Vitamin A in the body, it is usually seen in people who take a lot of vitamin supplements which can damage the hair.
10. Carbonated Drinks
Carbonated drinks are quite acid-forming. They also contain excessive sugar, which causes blood sugar levels to spike and then fall. Many studies show that there is a link between excess blood sugar and baldness in men. It is advisable to avoid carbonated drinks as much as possible.
Conclusion
Who doesn’t want shiny, strong and healthy hair? Your hair needs complete nutrition. Unhealthy diet can cause hair to become dry, brittle and lifeless. When the body does not get enough nutrition like protein, biotin, zinc, iron and other nutrients from the diet, it leads to hair loss. If you are losing hair, take a look at your diet, what you have eaten in the last two to three months. Is your diet lacking in protein or lacking in iron, zinc? Or maybe your diet is full of unhealthy foods that are devoid of nutrition and are harming the health of your hair. Banning these unhealthy foods for a few months along with adding more nutritious food to your diet can help you get your shiny hair back.
