Major factors like genetics and age can influence hair growth and fallout. But what you eat is one of the best (or worst) things you can do to impact your hair’s appearance.
It’s been proven that foods containing essential vitamins, healthy fats and proteins are key to strengthening hair, skin and nails…maybe even more so than professional treatments and products! On the flip side, processed foods and refined carbs can wreak havoc on our health, leading to a host of negative side effects, such as hair loss. We consulted with an expert to determine one food that’s known to damage hair and discourage its growth-keep reading to find out more!
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Enriched breads
Rather than promoting hair growth, foods containing high amounts of sugar, alcohol and starchy grains may cause hair to thin.
"In general, carbs can lead to insulin resistance, due to the impact they have on the glucose and insulin response. Insulin resistance is correlated with hair loss," registered dietician Trista Best tells us. "While many of the foods available on store shelves are made with refined carbohydrates-especially junk food-there is one surprising food you should be avoiding: enriched breads."
That's because enriched breads are highly processed and made with refined carbs. "These breads often pose as 'healthy' through marketing," Trista warns. "Their labels commonly make statements like 'made with whole wheat' or 'white wheat.' This is because wheat IS used in the process, but it's been mechanically altered. Unless your bread specifically lists 'whole wheat' or 'whole grain' as the first ingredient, then you'll want to avoid this."
Not to mention, the starches found in over-processed breads are known to interfere with the body's ability to fight stress, which can also lead to hair loss. Our take? Step away from the croissant and stick to whole wheat whenever possible!
But that doesn't mean you have to cut bread from your diet entirely. Instead of enriched breads, opt for a bread that's rich in complex carbohydrates and high fiber content, which provides your body with the nutrients and vitamins it needs to repair hair follicles.
And beyond bread, there are plenty of healthy (and tasty) food staples to help boost hair growth. For a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, try incorporating salmon, which can reduce any inflammation that's causing hair shedding. Foods like spinach and tangerines come loaded with vitamin C and iron, respectively. Vitamin C makes it easier for your body to absorb iron, and because iron deficiency has been linked with hair loss, upping your iron intake seems like a no brainer.
With so many delicious foods to keep your hair strong, you'll have no trouble giving up processed breads!
