The hair can be protected even with diet! In fact, some foods can be interesting allies when it comes to combating hair loss and dry and brittle hair, which breaks easily. Not only that, some foods can also help prevent dermatitis and the overproduction of sebum. But let's explore this very interesting topic.
Millet
In the form of flakes to add to salads or yogurt or in the form of milk, to drink in the morning or as a tasty snack, millet is definitely a food to keep in mind for hair health. In fact, millet provides zinc, sulfur amino acids, such as cysteine and methionine, and B vitamins (Habiyaremye et al, Front Plant Sci, 2016). A zinc deficiency is associated with hair loss, which is more severe the lower the levels of this mineral are (Almohanna et al, Dermatol Ther, 2019). Cysteine and methionine strengthen the hair, slow down hair loss and promote the process of repairing any damage, thus counteracting brittle and easily broken hair, while the B vitamins protect the health of the scalp, helping to regulate the sebum production (Plaza et al, Molecules, 2018 - Goluch-Koniuszy et al, Prz Menopauzalny, 2016).
Nutritional yeast
Nutritional yeast, which can be purchased in flakes to add to salads or in the form of a supplement, is another ally for the health of the hair thanks to the B vitamins it contains. Vitamin B5 in fact helps prevent premature graying of hair, stimulates hair growth and its natural hydration. Vitamin B7 counteracts hair loss and prevents dermatitis (Goluch-Koniuszy et al, Prz Menopauzalny, 2016).
Annurca apple
Apples contain valuable antioxidant substances. Among these substances, procyanidin B2 has attracted the attention of scientists with regard to hair health. In fact, procanidine B2 is able to stimulate the anagen phase of the hair, which is the first growth phase of the hair life cycle, and to inhibit the catagen phase, which is the second phase of the hair life cycle, in which its growth stops and the conditions are prepared for its fall. Not only that, procyanidin B2 also promotes the formation of keratin, which is the substance that covers the hair and makes it shiny, strong and healthy. Among all the apple varieties, the annurca apple, originally from southern Italy, is the apple with the highest content in procanidine B2 (Tenore et al, J Med Food, 2018). You can find the annurca apple in the form of fresh fruit in the best-stocked stores or in the form of a supplement in herbal medicine and pharmacy.
Bee pollen
Bee pollen provides histidine, an amino acid that makes the hair stronger (Oshimura et al, J Cosmet Sci, 2008). Not only that, pollen also contains the amino acid methionine which promotes the formation and health of hair follicles (Zhu et al, J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl), 2020). You can find pollen in specialty stores and take a teaspoon of it during breakfast.
