When it comes to healthy, voluminous and radiant hair, eating a well-balanced diet full of protein and other nutrients is essential. With that said, some foods are better for your tresses than others, and if you’re noticing hair loss or thinning strands, looking into your diet can help. We checked in with doctors, dermatologists and hair experts to learn more about one popular and common food that might surprise you in its impact to negatively effect your locks if eaten often. Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Dr. Paula Morgan, MD, PhD, FRCPC, FAAD, dermatologist and medical consultant of Better Goods and Dr. Yoram Harth, MD, board-certified dermatologist and Medical Director of MDhair.
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How Red Meat Can Lead To Thinner Hair
While there are many factors that come into play if your hair is thinning (genetics, lack of sleep, stress, etc), your diet does play an important role in its health and appearance. Harth notes that red meat has been linked to weaker hair if frequently eaten, and especially when paired with unhealthy fried foods.
"Try to reduce the amount of meat and fried food in your diet," Harth says, as "eating high amounts of red meat and fried food is shown to increase inflammation and promote the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT)." This male hormone, he adds, is related to androgenetic hair loss. Additionally,
Harth stresses to avoid foods (and commonly meat-related products) made with "preservatives and artificial flavors," as they increase free radicals in our scalp, causing "damage to hair follicles and reducing hair reduction."
What To Eat Instead For Healthier Tresses
To promote hair growth and shine, Morgan recommends "eating a diet full of healthy fats, like avocados, fish oils, and olive oil." She also suggests visiting a dermatologist to learn more about Vitamin B or Biotin supplements, which has been proven to promote healthier hair.
"Biotin has become very popular in recent years for its abilities to improve the strength, thickness, shine, and health of both skin and hair," she notes. Biotin, she concludes, is a B-complex vitamin that helps "metabolize fats and carbohydrates" and can be found in foods like egg yolks, nut butters, soybeans, legumes, and more. Noted!
