Hair fall, dandruff, greying: Nutritionist shares 5 simple foods for healthy and strong hair

Let’s be honest. We have all faced the horror of watching chunks of hair on our combs at some point in our lives, or have witnessed premature grey strands around the crown of our head, leaving us utterly disappointed. Sometimes we blame it on over-styling, and at other times we blame it on the weather. But most often, hair problems, although a common phenomenon, are triggered by poor lifestyle choices, hormonal imbalance, sudden disruption to routine, stress and a lack of proper nutrients such as iron, protein, and vitamins, which tend to weaken the roots.

If you have also been facing a similar problem, then fret not. Reason? Nutritionist Lovneet Batra might just have the right solution for you. In her latest Instagram post, she shared a list of 5 foods which can help you battle 5 types of hair issues.

Hair fall - Spinach

Spinach is loaded with the goodness of iron, folate, and vitamins A and C. All of these compounds play a crucial role in delivering oxygen to the hair follicles and promoting healthy hair growth. Since iron deficiency is a common cause of hair loss, especially in women, adding spinach to your diet can make a noticeable difference.

Premature greying - curry leaves

According to Lovneet Batra, curry leaves are infused with antioxidants, vitamins, and essential minerals that help in maintaining scalp health. They may also aid in the preservation of natural hair colour and strengthen your tresses from the roots.

Dry and dull hair - Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds are an excellent vegetarian source of omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients nourish the scalp, improve hydration, and enhance overall hair texture, making hair appear smoother and shinier.

Dandruff - Yoghurt

Yoghurt is rich in protein and probiotics that balance the scalp’s natural environment. It is known to reduce dryness and flakiness, thereby keeping itchy dandruff under control.

Weak and brittle hair - Almonds

Almonds contain biotin and vitamin E, which not only strengthen hair strands from within but also improve scalp health significantly, ultimately reducing breakage and brittleness.

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A post shared by Lovneet Batra (@lovneetb)

Dr Gaurang Krishna, a hair transplant surgeon and dermatologist with an MD from AIIMS, New Delhi, reinforced the idea that hair loss is the direct result of multiple factors like genetics, nutrition, lifestyle, and environmental stress. According to the health expert, genetics plays the biggest role, accounting for nearly 70 per cent of baldness cases, be it male pattern baldness or hair thinning in women.

As for the next 20 per cent, lifestyle and nutrition are the determining factors. Poor diet, lack of essential nutrients and vitamins, irregular sleep, chronic stress, and minimal exercise all weaken the body’s ability to nourish hair follicles. Meanwhile, a healthy lifestyle, including exercise and proper rest, helps maintain stem cell activity that supports hair growth.