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Growing your hair out can seem like it takes forever. In fact, the average rate that our hair grows is about 0.5 inches per month and 6 inches per year. Try these foods for hair growth and see if that rate improves for you!

10 Best Foods For Hair Growth

No matter how hard we wish for it, it will always be a long process. If it wasn’t, imagine how much money you would need to spend on hair clippers or getting it done by a stylist. Yikes!

There’s actually an old rumor out there that getting your hair cut regularly will speed up its growth. This is unfortunately a myth. While cutting your hair can make it appear thicker, it does not make it grow faster.

So, what does make it grow faster?

Believe it or not, what you eat plays a huge role in the health of your hair. If you can make sure you’re getting the proper vitamins and minerals in your diet, you will be giving your hair what it needs to stay healthy. Having healthy hair will result in optimal hair growth and will ensure that you get those 6 inches per year or more!

Things like biotin, zinc, iron, vitamin A, C and E are all essential for achieving healthy hair, nails and a healthier you overall!

With that being said, we’re going to look at 10 super healthy, vitamin packed foods that will get you on track to a longer and healthier head of hair.

10 Best Foods for Hair Growth

1. Nuts

A deficiency in zinc and omega-3 fatty acids has been known to contribute to hair loss. There are a variety of nuts that contain these nutrients such as walnuts, almonds, pecans and cashews.

Nuts make great snacks and you can even get all of the essential nutrients from almond milk. This is probably one of the easiest foods you can add to your diet!

2. Eggs

Hair is made of a protein called keratin, so what better food to eat for hair growth than a protein rich one like eggs!

Not only are they high in protein but they also contain biotin which helps strengthen hair and nails.

There are a ton of different ways to cook them and they can be used in all sorts of different recipes. Eggs are a must have in any diet!

3. Salmon

Omega-3 fatty acids promote healthy, lush hair and salmon is rich with them. Your body can’t produce these fatty acids on its own so it is important to add foods to your diet that contain them. Aside from that, they have been known to reduce bad cholesterol and lower inflammation.

Salmon may be on the pricey side but you do not need to consume a large amount to get your daily dose. One to two servings a week would suffice.

4. Avocado

Chances are you’ve heard of this one before. Avocados are an extremely healthy fruit that is surprisingly very popular. They contain healthy fats and vitamin E, the latter of which is important for maintaining a healthy scalp.

People think that having healthy hair is most important for hair growth and tend to overlook that their scalp needs some love as well. Vitamin E helps protect your scalp from free radicals and impurities that can affect your hair growth.

5. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene which the body converts to Vitamin A. This is an essential vitamin for preventing dry and broken hair. They are inexpensive, taste amazing and are a great food to add to any fall dish!

6. Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds are another food that is rich in Vitamin E. They are also a popular snack that is inexpensive.

You’ll often see people eating them right out of the bag but when you buy them in their shell-less form they are a great addition to pretty much any salad.

Don’t be afraid to get creative and add them to different dishes!

7. Oysters

Oysters may be the most expensive food on this list, but they are also the best source of zinc. Zinc is a nutrient essential for preventing hair loss as it helps strengthen hair follicles which are what keeps your hair in tact. That’s why one of the most common supplements for early stage hair loss are zinc supplements.

It also helps balance your hormone levels which is a common culprit when it comes to hair loss.

8. Beans

Beans are a great source of protein, zinc, biotin and iron. All those things together make for a powerful food when it comes to healthy hair. It’s also a great option for vegans to get the protein you might be missing out on.

In addition, it’s arguably the cheapest food option on here in terms of how much you get for the money.

With the fall season just around the corner, I think a hearty chilli may be in order!

9. Red meat

We’ve been talking a lot about protein so you shouldn’t be surprised to see red meat on the list. Red meat contains protein, we all know that. But, it is also rich in iron as well.

Iron helps your body deliver oxygen to its cells, including hair follicles. Having a lack of protein and iron in our diets has been linked to hair loss.

10. Spinach

Spinach is a fantastic superfood that yields a ton of health benefits. It is rich in iron, vitamin C, beta-carotene and antioxidants which all support healthy hair and its growth.

Spinach is super easy to cook and can also be used in a ton of dishes or just simply as a side. You should have no problem adding this one to your diet!

Those are just 10 out of many different foods that contain healthy nutrients that help with faster hair growth and even help aid in hair loss. Not only that, but they are foods that should be incorporated into everyone’s diet because of their long-term health benefits.

Whether you’re experiencing issues with your hair or not, eating these foods daily can have profound effects on your health overall. I highly recommend giving them a try!

About the author – Adam Adley is the voice behind Buzzed and Bearded. He is an avid gym goer who sparked an interest in health and fitness at a young age. He enjoys writing about personal health and men’s grooming in hopes of helping people look and feel their best.”