The Benefits Of A Vegan Diet For Hair Health

It’s impossible to ignore the vegan movement right now. This popular dietary trend is everywhere and shows no sign of slowing down.

From protecting animals and the environment to numerous health benefits and even improving the condition and growth of hair, it is no wonder that the number of people turning to a plant-based diet has more than quadrupled since 2006.

A vegan diet involves consuming only plant-based food and drinks, eliminating any animal derived products as well as by products.

Although this way of life can be challenging, the benefits are brilliant so if you are wondering what the best vegan diet for hair growth and more is, then we’ve got the answers right here. Keep reading to learn how vegans keep their hair healthy!

Does a vegan diet help hair growth?

Some people worry about how to go vegan without losing hair and that by cutting out animal derived products such as dairy can cause hair loss.

It’s a common misconception that vegans have thin hair and suffer from fall out, however, this is likely to be because of vitamin deficiency rather than veganism itself. 

Vegans keep their hair healthy by ensuring that they have the correct intake of vitamins and nutrients in their plant-based diet.

A lack of certain vitamins, such as vitamin B, will lead to hair loss so it is important that you replace animal derived food sources that help stop hair loss with plant-based alternatives.

Vitamins that improve hair growth include vitamins A, B, C, E, and nutrients such as zinc, calcium, and iron.

There is a wide range of vegan and vegetarian foods that are good for hair growth and thickness including spinach and nuts.

Combine plant-based nutrition with quality tools

There’s little point in boosting the health of your hair with a vegan diet if the products and tools you are using to care for and style your hair are not up to scratch. 

Hair dryers are commonly used and can cause hair damage such as roughness, dryness, and loss of hair color.

It is important to understand the best way to dry hair without causing damage.

Consider throwing away your old dryer and look for something like mdlondon’s BLOW hair dryer, designed to make hair styling easy and enjoyable, which has been tested, used and is loved by professionals. 

What are the best foods for hair growth?

1.       Berries

Berries, such as strawberries, are one of the best fruits for your hair as they are rich in vitamin C which has antioxidant qualities.

These properties protect the hair follicles against free radicals, a harmful molecule that exists naturally in the body and the environment.

Vitamin C helps the body to absorb iron from the foods you consume, and this can help to prevent hair loss as low iron levels are linked to shedding.

Vitamin C is also used by the body to produce collagen, a type of protein that is best for your hair as it works to strengthen locks and prevent breakages.  

2.       Spinach

Spinach is nutritional gold for those on a vegan diet as it is packed with super important nutrients for hair such as iron, folate, vitamin A, and vitamin C.

Vitamin A and iron encourage hair growth, although you should be careful not to consume too much vitamin A as this can have the opposite effect and cause loss.

Spinach is rich in iron, making it an ideal vegan food for hair growth, as it helps the red blood cells carry oxygen around the body to promote growth and repair. 

3.       Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes are a source of beta-carotene which the body uses to convert into vitamin A. This is then used as a way to thicken your hair and produce sebum to keep the scalp hydrated.

Be careful not to overdo your vitamin A consumption though! You only need between 700-900 micrograms every day to get all the great hair benefits; any more than this and it could cause your hair to thin.

4.       Avocado

Avocados are a source of healthy fats and vitamin E, which will help with vegan hair growth. Vitamin E is another antioxidant that works to neutralise free radicals, but it also protects the scalp from oxidative stress and damage.

Maintaining a healthy scalp will encourage hair follicles to grow, helping vegans to get thicker hair, and improve the overall condition of your locks.

Some hair care brands such as Equi Botanics, Aveeno and Faith In Nature, even include avocado oil in their products as it is such a nourishing, restorative ingredient.

5.       Nuts

A handy, on-the-go snack, nuts contain a slew of nutrients and vitamins that are important to the health of your hair as well as working to reduce loss and encourage growth.

Walnuts and almonds contain B vitamins including biotin. Vegans don’t always get enough biotin as many of the best sources are animal derived, so nuts are a great way to increase your intake.

They are also rich in omegas 3 and 6, protein, and magnesium. These work to strengthen the hair cuticles and nourish the scalp, providing a healthy base for your hair to grow.

6.       Seeds

Seeds such as flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds are all rich in vitamins that help to support hair growth.

Another good option is chia seeds as they contain high levels of phosphorus, protein and fatty acids which stimulate hair follicles to generate hair growth.

Simply sprinkle chia seeds over the top of foods as a good way to increase your intake of them.

 7.       Beans

Adopting a vegan lifestyle can make having a protein rich diet challenging, but beans are an ideal source of protein as well as zinc, iron, biotin, and folate.

They are an inexpensive addition to your vegan diet that will aid hair health and growth.

 8.       Tofu

Tofu is a great plant-based alternative food that is high in calcium which helps to stimulate the hair follicles and encourage hair growth.

Tofu also contains iron and protein which are known to help support hair health and thickness.

Summary

Fill any nutritional gaps in your vegan diet with these foods and the benefits to your hair health will be seen in no time.

Whilst it may be a challenging lifestyle change at first, switching to a vegan diet, drinking lots of water and using vegan hair care products will keep your hair at the top of its game and make you realise that you can go vegan without losing hair!