This article has been updated since the original publication date.
You probably already know that food and drink can have a huge impact on your hair’s health. When it comes to hair loss, that doesn’t mean your diet is always to blame. There may be other reasons why your brushes have more hair, such as certain medications that you are using, and genetics. The only real cure for hair growth is patience and time, but the foods you eat and avoid support the process. While you’re deciding what to eat each day, here are some tips from hair loss experts on two snacks to avoid if you’re worried about hair loss.
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processed snacks
While nothing may seem more satisfying than chewing on crunchy, salty potato chips, hair loss experts say processed snacks high in sugar and sodium aren’t the best choices for hair health. “Chips are high in fat and can lead to hair loss and other health conditions such as heart disease,” says Amr Salem, Scalp Micropigmentation Specialist at INKredible Scalp. It’s best to avoid foods that are heavy. These two ingredients are known to cause dandruff and hair loss.”
Like potato chips and salty snacks, processed snacks high in sugar such as candies, sodas, and cereals also do not support hair health.
“Basically, higher blood sugar levels lead to higher insulin levels, lower SHBG levels, a higher risk of DHT binding to hair follicles, and possibly a higher risk of hair loss, among other medical conditions. There is,” says Yannis Giantzides, managing director of Harley Street Hair Transplant. clinic. “We recommend switching to products containing steviol glycosides, which are ‘natural sugar substitutes’.”
Sushi
Say no—isn’t fish like sushi a healthy source of protein to help strengthen hair? “Sushi doesn’t cause hair loss, but it’s high in sodium and protein that does,” says Salem. “Salt makes your scalp overproduce oil, and protein makes your hair look greasy.”
The main cause here is not the sushi. The biggest problem with eating certain fish as a snack is that some fish contain high amounts of mercury. “Foods with a lot of mercury usually have a lot of mercury in fish such as shark and swordfish,” Gianzides says. “The main reason is that mercury reacts with zinc in the body.” Zinc is a metal that promotes hair growth, and mercury affects this process, so it’s best not to eat these fish.
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The best snacks for healthy hair
The best “snacks” for hair health are foods you probably wouldn’t think of as snacks, like leafy greens and eggs, which contain vitamin A, which promotes hair growth, says Giantzides. But when it comes to making it ahead, saving money, and turning it into an easy, healthy snack that you can enjoy anytime, Gianzides recommends sweet potato fries. “The body converts this compound to vitamin A, which is associated with hair health,” says Gianzides.
If hair loss is stressing you out, the first step is to rethink what you’re eating. However, always remember to visit a dermatologist who can help you better assess the causes of hair loss and develop an individualized plan that’s right for you and your needs.
