Buy the real thing!
Go into your bathroom and read all of your hair oils* and creams. I bet you there are more than 10 different fruit and vegetable oils and extracts in those ingredients.
Think about it: coconut oil*, carrot seed oil*, avocado oil*, banana extract, psidium guajava (guava) extract, and many other fruits and vegetables are a part of your hair regimen.
If you buy all of these foods (GMO-free, of course) to eat, then you can reap the benefits faster than if you were to only apply them topically.
Think of it this way: your hair may be strengthened for a few weeks by a protein treatment but you would reap more benefits for a longer period of time if you decided to have a high protein diet.
Make sure you eat enough Iron and Zinc
Zinc deficiency can cause deterioration of the protein structure that makes up our hair follicles. The weakening of protein structures can cause excessive hair shedding and loss. On the other hand, foods rich in zinc promote healthy hair growth and may help to eliminate dandruff.
Some foods that are a good source of zinc include: sweet potatoes, eggs, oysters, sesame seeds, dark chocolate, cashews, and ginger*.
Just like zinc, a lack of iron can cause hair shedding and loss. Adding broccoli, spinach, kiwi, cantaloupe, and sweet peppers to your meals is an easy way to incorporate iron in your diet.
DO NOT take zinc or iron* supplements* without consulting your doctor because zinc and iron* poisoning can lead to major health issues and/or death.
Water, Water, Water!
Water is obviously the supreme thirst quencher and we need to drink at least half a gallon daily to have our body functioning correctly. However, sometimes we forget to drink enough water and we start to see it in our weight, skin, eyes, and hair.
Why do we need water for our hair? Simple: to keep it healthy, hydrated, and moisturized. We don’t buy all of those water-based products for nothing!
Because kinks, coils, and curls thrive in a moisture rich environment, water is always going to be the best option to quench its thirst and keep it hydrated.
However, just as how washing your hair in water with a pH value that is too low or too high can have an adverse effect on your hair, drinking it can also only give you moderate benefits.
If you are worried about your water being too acidic or too alkaline, you can buy pH value test strips at your local drugstore or vitamin shop. If it is above or below a neutral 7, then you can easily solve the problem by installing water filters or purifiers in your kitchen and shower.
This tip-as well as the others-require a little work and some trial and error but it will help you achieve beautiful, healthy hair just by tweaking your diet.