Eating certain foods can make a difference to the quality of your hair and how well it grows. Research shows that specific foods can not only improve strength and appearance, they can actually increase hair growth as well.

Here are 5 tasty foods to help your locks grow long and strong:

1. PUMPKIN SEEDS

Several plant nutrients present in pumpkin seeds have been shown to actually stimulate hair growth in people suffering male or female pattern baldness. This type of baldness, known as androgenetic alopecia, is characterised by receding hairline and thinning at the crown in men, and a wider hair parting in women.

Pumpkin seeds contain phytosterols and fatty acids, which all help to reduce the key hormone responsible for this type of hair loss, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Studies show that these seeds can significantly improve hair growth.

2. ROSEMARY

Rosemary contains an impressive range of beneficial phytochemicals. It boosts hair growth by improving circulation and blood flow to hair follicles and encouraging their regeneration.

This herb has been shown to be as effective as some of the hair growth medications on the market.

3. PROTEIN POWDER

Hair, skin and nails all need plenty of protein, which provide the basic building blocks for their physical structure. Lack of protein is a common reason why hair starts thinning and falling out.

As a general rule, we need around 1 g of protein for every kg of body weight. For example, if you weigh 60 kg, you should aim to consume approximately 60 g protein every day. As a general guide, one 100 g piece of chicken will give you about 30 g of protein.

Using protein powders, either once a day for breakfast or as a between-meal snack is a great way to boost protein levels. Most protein powders contain around 30 g protein per serving.

We have a great selection of protein powders in-store from the Tony Sfier range, including plant-based, whey and egg-white proteins.

4. AVOCADOS

Avocados are great for hair because of their biotin content. Biotin is a nutrient considered to be part of the B vitamin family, and is one of the best vitamins for hair growth. Biotin deficiencies can lead to hair loss.

If you’re not keen on avocados, you can also obtain biotin from eggs, cheese and salmon.

Like pumpkin seeds, avocados contain phytosterols which inhibit the hormone, DHT, that causes hair loss.

MAKE YOUR OWN MOISTURIZING HAIR MASK

As well as eating avocados, you can make a hair mask that will give your hair a beautiful shine.

Simply mash avocado with a little olive oil, apply to hair, leave for a few hours and rinse.

5. BEER!

Beer is high in silica and great for hair. This is probably why traditionally people rinsed their hair in beer to improve its condition.

If you’re not keen on beer or are a tea-totaller, there are plenty of other foods you can eat that are rich in silica. These include:

• Honey
• Sunflower seeds
• Legumes
• Green tea

You can also get silica from a common herb called horsetail. You can buy it as a tea or it can often be found in topical hair products.

Try Less Is More Protein Spray, an easy-to-apply spray, available in our online store. It contains natural horsetail plus wheat proteins to help repair damaged hair and volumise it.

HAIR BOOSTER SMOOTHIE

BLEND TOGETHER:

1 serving protein powder
1 ½ cup milk of your choice
½-1 small banana, peeled and pre-frozen
¼ avocado
1 tbsp pumpkin seeds
honey to taste
1 tsp ground cinnamon