Best Foods for Hair Loss Prevention (Cont'd)
What are the best foods to eat if you want to prevent hair loss and thinning hair? Here's our pick of the best.
Note that this is the second page of a two-page article on the best foods for hair loss prevention. If you missed the first page of the article, click here.
#10: Prunes
Packed with both copper and zinc, prunes are undoubtedly one of the best foods for hair loss prevention. Although our bodies require only a small amount of copper, this trace mineral is necessary for the proper functioning of the body, including healthy hair growth. Adequate levels of copper help slow down hair loss and contribute to hair thickness. Copper is also thought to intensify hair color and prevent premature graying of hair. Zinc, on the other hand, plays an important role in the production of new cells (including hair cells) and the maintenance of the oil-secreting glands that make hair shiny. Copper and zinc should be consumed together as the balance between the two is crucial: too much zinc interferes with copper absorption, and higher amounts of copper can be toxic.
If you are keen on learning about the benefits of prunes on your general wellbeing, check out the page Health Benefits of Prunes.
#11: Oatmeal
Eating a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast is a great way to start a day off right. Oats are highly nutritious and an excellent source of B vitamins, zinc and copper, some of the most important micronutrients for preventing hair loss. They are also a great vegetarian source of dietary protein. Before eating oats, soak them for several hours. Untreated oats, like other grains, contain phytic acid which can block the absorption of calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, and zinc in the intestines. Soaking allows enzymes to break down and neutralize phytic acid and thus improve the nutritional value of oats.
#12: Spirulina Seaweed
Due to its unsurpassed nutritional profile, spirulina seaweed has been touted as one of the world's greatest super-foods, with an impressive array of potential health benefits. It is particularly rich in nutrients that are thought to help prevent hair loss, which is also why spirulina is often used as a key ingredient in natural hair loss prevention products. Spirulina is a concentrated source of both iron and copper — two important minerals you need to prevent hair loss. But this remarkable seaweed also contains numerous other health hair promoting nutrients, including beta-carotene, vitamin E, and vitamin C. Spirulina powder can be added to juices, soups, sauces, and salads to enhance these dishes' nutritional content. Spirulina is available at many health food stores as well as on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.
#13 Garbanzo Beans
Garbanzo beans (also known as chickpeas) are a wonderfully versatile food with a rich nut-like flavor and an appealing, buttery consistency. They are a staple in the Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines and a key ingredient in dishes like falafels and hummus. They are also a great food to add to your food repertoire if you suffer from hair loss as they are loaded with hair loss preventing nutrients such as B vitamins, zinc, and vitamin C. They are also an excellent source of protein, particularly for vegetarians and vegans who avoid animal sources of protein.
#14: Sweet Potatoes
Turbocharge your anti-hair loss diet by regularly consuming sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are also one of the most nutritious vegetables and packed with nutrients that help prevent hair loss. The pink, orange, and yellow varieties are one of the most concentrated dietary sources of beta-carotene (the more intense the color, the more beta-carotene), but sweet potatoes also contain plenty of vitamin C, copper, and iron. In addition, sweet potatoes contain come unique root proteins which, according to some preliminary studies, have significant antioxidant properties.
#15: Sesame Seeds
Although our bodies require only a small amount of copper, it is crucial for the proper functioning of the body, including healthy hair growth. Sufficient levels of copper can prevent hair loss and contribute to hair thickness. Copper is also thought to intensify hair color and prevent premature graying of hair. Another trace mineral that is important to hair health is zinc. It plays a role in the production of new cells (including hair cells) and the maintenance of the oil-secreting glands of the scalp that make hair shiny. Zinc and copper should be consumed together as the balance between the two is crucial: too much zinc interferes with copper absorption, and higher amounts of copper can be toxic. Black sesame seeds, which are used as a remedy for hair loss in China, are an excellent source of both copper and zinc.
Looking for organic black sesame seeds or sesame paste (tahini)? Check out Kevala's organic black sesame seed products on Amazon.com (or head to Amazon.co.uk if you live in the UK).
#16: Carrots
You probably already know that carrots are good for eye sight, but did you know that they are also great at controlling hair loss. Carrots are one of the best natural sources of beta-carotene, an important nutrient that promotes healthy hair due to its antioxidant properties as well as its role as a precursor to vitamin A. A deficiency of vitamin A has been linked to hair loss and thinning hair. In order to obtain the most beta-carotene, choose carrots with a deep orange color as they typically contain the highest levels of beta-carotene. Further, steaming carrots slightly can improve the availability of beta-carotene contained in carrots. Also eating carrots in tandem with a little bit of fat (for example olive oil) helps the body utilize beta-carotene more effectively.
