Having strong and shiny hair is a big part of everyone’s dream. Not only does taking care of hair require scalp protection and using the right products, but it also needs nutrition. Each hair strand contains a tough protein called keratin that needs to be nourished and fortified with vitamins and minerals, making hair a great giveaway for one’s inside health. Some foods that can help one achieve fuller, healthier-looking hair include:

Salmon: Salmon, sardines, and mackerel are rich sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, which protect the body from disease and impart shine to the hair.

Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt is enriched with Vitamin B5 (or pantothenic acid), which can help prevent hair thinning and loss.

Spinach: Spinach is packed with nutrients like Vitamin A, iron, beta carotene, folate, and Vitamin C. These nutrients work together to improve scalp and hair health.

Guava: Guavas are filled with Vitamin C, which helps protect hair from breakage.

Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes contain high amounts of an antioxidant called beta-carotene, which turns into vitamin A in the body and protects against dull, dry hair. Beta-carotene can also be found naturally in other foods like carrots, pumpkins, cantaloupes, and mangoes.

Cinnamon: Cinnamon can help improve blood flow in the body, which brings nutrients to the hair follicles, helping one maintain healthy hair.

Eggs: A lack of biotin in the body can lead to hair loss and brittle fingernails. Eggs are a rich source of biotin, protein, and iron and can help improve overall hair health.

Other foods that can help improve hair health include oysters, iron-fortified cereals, and lean poultry such as chicken or turkey. Some people may face unexplained hair loss in patches due to auto-immune disorders such as alopecia areata. The causes of this disease are unknown, and it can affect anyone regardless of age, sex, or gender, but most cases tend to develop before a person reaches the age of 30. Formal treatment options for alopecia areata include corticosteroids, which are anti-inflammatories that suppress the immune system, or photochemotherapy for patients unwilling to use systemic or invasive therapies. Popular home remedies for alopecia areata include rubbing onion or garlic juice, cooled green tea, almond oil, rosemary oil, honey, or coconut milk directly onto the scalp. Some people also opt for alternative treatment options, such as acupuncture and aromatherapy.