12 Wonderful Vegetables For Hair Growth

Vegetables are your best friends to lose those extra pounds. But do you know these humble veggies are also great for your hair? Yes! There are multiple benefits of vegetables for hair growth. Vegetables for hair growth contain vitamins, fiber, and minerals, which help manage and maintain the texture, thickness, and smoothness of your strands.

Here I’ll list down some pointers to keep your hair healthy and happy. Before that, like always, here are some things to know before you start with the tips

1. Clean, damp hair absorbs nutrients better than dry, dirty hair. It might look like a cumbersome task to wash your hair, put on a pack, and then wash it again, but it’s totally worth it. There is a reason why salons give you a hair wash before and treatment and styling.
2. Using warm water opens up your hair and scalp pores while cold water closes them. So use warm water before application and cold water post-application.
3. Avoid using hot water on your hair as it drains hair of its natural oils and lessens its elasticity.
4. Some vegetables leave a weird smell, so follow up with your favorite conditioner to mask the smell.
5. Any mask needs ample time to penetrate into your hair. Leave on the mask for at least 30 minutes to see the effects.
6. Also, do not leave it for too long. When the mask starts drying, it might draw water from the hair and counteract the results.

Vegetables For Hair Growth:

If you are looking for a food guide to help you with hair growth, you are at the right place. If you are experiencing hair thinning, you can also explore specific foods for thinning hair to reap more hair growth benefits. Now, let’s see some of the most beneficial vegetables that can be included in your list of best tips for hair growth.

1. Spinach

Amongst those vegetables that are considered nutritious for your hair, spinach tops the list. Full of edible fiber, spinach is a rich source of iron and zinc in addition to other essential vitamins and minerals. These two particular minerals are highly necessary for the hair, as the absence of zinc and iron often leads to hair loss in many people (1), (2).

Quick Tip

Apart from consuming spinach, you can also use its paste mixed with coconut oil as a weekly hair mask

2. Carrots

Carrots are the second-best vegetable for hair growth. Carrots are a rich store of Vitamin B7 or Biotin that is considered a healthy tonic for the hair. Biotin is essential for hair re-growth. At the same time, it helps to strengthen the hair roots so that hair does not fall out easily (3), (4). Carrots are also rich in beta-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A, which may help boost hair health.

Boil some carrots and blend them. Don’t throw the water you boiled them in, use the same to grind and blend them. Apply the paste to your hair and leave it on for 30 minutes. Wash it away. This mask helps reduce hair fall, promotes hair growth, and aids in hair regrowth.

Fisayo Adeyemi, a blogger, shared her experience of using carrot as a pre-poo, hot oil treatment, and as a sealant to combat hair loss. She said, “I read about carrot oil, and since I started using it, I have noticed a real change in the texture and growth rate of my hair (i).”

3. Onions

Onions are also a helpful nutrient for the hair. It is an affluent source of zinc, iron and biotin, all of which are needful for hair growth. In addition to hair growth, onion is a wonderful vegetable that helps in preventing the premature graying of hair (5).

4. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of beta-carotene. They are one of the best foods for hair growth. Our body transforms beta-carotene into Vitamin A. Beta-carotene is required for cell repair within the body. Sweet potatoes fulfill the dearth of Vitamin A to a large extent (6), (7).

5. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are rich sources of the antioxidant, lycopene. Antioxidants are also effective cell-repairing agents. They help to remove impurities and toxins from the surface of the scalp. One can either consume tomatoes directly or apply the tomato pulp on the scalp for better results. Tomatoes help to improve the shine and luster of the hair (8).

6. Garlic

Although having a pungent smell, garlic is an ideal tonic for the hair. It is good to add this to your regular diet chart, as it contains very few calories. In addition, garlic contains a very high sulfur content, which is considered best for hair re-growth (9), (10). Moreover, they are used for many home remedies for hair growth.

7. Beetroots

Having a red-colored vegetable increases your lycopene, which is known to increase hair growth rate. Beetroots contain lycopene that helps to stimulate hair growth. In addition to beetroots, most  reddish vegetables are good for the hair, as they might contain the same nutrient (11).

8. Curry Leaves

Relatively less discussed, curry leaves are an excellent antidote for hair loss. Curry leaves contain many beneficial compounds due to which it is considered an ideal tonic for hair growth and offers you lustrous hair (12), (13).

Quick Tip

Using an infused oil is the best way to utilize the benefits of curry leaves. Heat the leaves in coconut oil and apply it to hair for best results.

9. French Beans

French beans are the richest source of Vitamins A and E. Vitamin E is highly needful for improving the luster and volume of hair. It also protects your hair from premature graying (14), (15).

10. Green Chili

Another rich store of keratin and Vitamin E, green chilies are excellent for fostering hair growth. It also helps to repair the damaged cells of the scalp in order to promote new hair follicles (16).

11. Orange veggies

give you beta compounds which also help achieve healthy long hair. They reduce hair breakage and hair fall. Get your dose of beta carotene from oranges and yellow colored vegetables – bell peppers is a great source.

12. Cucumber

It is also known to achieve healthy hair. Blend in some fresh cucumbers and apply the paste to your scalp and massage thoroughly. You might want to add some fenugreek powder as the blend will be runny (17).

While you can use these vegetables in hair masks directly for hair growth, one of the best ways to benefit from them is by simply incorporating them into your diet. Scroll down to learn more about it!

Ways To Add These Vegetables To Your Diet

A sure way to get the benefits of these vegetables is by adding them to your daily meals.

• You can include spinach in salads or smoothies for iron and folate.
• Add shredded carrots for beta-carotene and other leafy greens in a simple stir-fried dish.
• Enjoy beetroot juice or a smooth beetroot hummus for essential vitamins and minerals that support healthy hair.

Infographic: Top 5 Vegetables For Hair Growth

While a good hair care routine plays an important role, the food you eat is equally essential for strong and healthy hair. Vegetables contain vital nutrients that can aid in hair nourishment. We have compiled a list of the top 5 vegetables you should include in your diet. Check out the infographic below to know more!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What additional foods promote hair growth?

In addition to vegetables, foods like eggs, nuts, fish, berries, and avocados are beneficial for hair growth. They provide essential nutrients like protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants that help improve hair health.

What drinks help with hair growth?

In some studies, the traditional Asian herbal mixture of Houttuynia cordata Thunb (chameleon plant), Perilla frutescens Var. acuta (beefsteak plant), and green tea were found to stimulate hair growth in mice (18). However, if these drinks can also show similar effects in humans is yet to be studied.

Can a vegetable-heavy diet help prevent hair loss?

No. You should have a balanced diet rich in proteins, fats, and essential vitamins and minerals for healthy hair. Additionally, you should incorporate healthy lifestyle changes, such as proper hydration and adequate sleep and exercise for optimal hair health.

How long does it take to see results from eating vegetables for hair growth?

Since any diet change takes time to work, you may see results from eating vegetables for hair growth in about 3-6 months. Also, the changes will be visible only if you are consistent with your diet and healthy lifestyle. You can also try some expert hair care tips and tricks while following a nutritious diet.

Are there any vegetables that can actually harm my hair or scalp?

No, vegetables are a natural product and may not harm your hair or scalp. That said, if you are allergic to any vegetable or have a sensitive scalp, you may notice irritation with its use. Always perform a patch test before topical application of any vegetable to avoid this.

Can a lack of vegetables in my diet lead to hair loss?

Yes, a lack of vegetables in your diet may lead to hair loss as you miss out on essential vitamins and minerals this way (19). To avoid it, try to incorporate enough vegetables into your diet.

Illustration: Wonderful Vegetables For Hair Growth

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Vegetables contain essential minerals and nutrients that are necessary for hair growth.Check out the video below to find out the top 10 vegetables that can help you get strong and healthy hair.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Avantii DeshpaandeMSc (Food Science & Nutrition)

 

Avantii Deshpaande is a nutritionist, author, speaker, and entrepreneur with over 20 years in the field. She is also a nutrigenomic counselor and a gut microbiome specialist. She worked in the food industry for 10 years and was a faculty member in various nutrition and food tech colleges.

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Jyotsana RaoBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Jyotsana Rao is an engineering graduate from NIT, Nagpur, who discovered her love for writing during her undergraduate days. She is passionate about writing about everything related to beauty - makeup, fashion, hairstyles, skin care, or hair care and has 4 years of experience on writing in these genres.

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Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru.

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