Am sure you know that it’s not enough to focus on applying a ton of products in your hair with the hope of having long, healthy hair.
If you want healthy, luscious hair you must focus on ensuring your body is getting proper nutrients for overall health and for promoting hair growth. Fruits are a great source of essential nutrients for hair growth.
In this article we will be focusing on nutrient-rich fruits that promote hair growth. Read on to understand the benefits of these fruits and how to use them to promote hair growth.
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What fruits are good for hair?
The fruits that are good for hair are those loaded with vitamins, minerals and fatty acids that are essential in promoting hair growth. In summary, here are the fruits that are good for hair growth:
- Amla (Indian Goose Berry)
- Apples
- Banana
- Grapes
- Avocado
- Pomegranate
- Guava
- Oranges
- Pineapple
- Cherries
- Plums
- Lemon
Now that you know in summary what fruits are good for promoting hair growth, let’s delve into the (i) nutritional composition of each of these fruits, (ii) the benefits on hair and (iii) how to use these fruits to promote hair growth.
Below are the top 12 nutrient-rich fruits that are good for hair
1. Amla (Indian Gooseberry)
Amla, which is also known as Indian Gooseberry is well known for its richness in Vitamin C and Tannin. This fruit is mainly found in India and Burma but you can get Amla products such as Amla oil and powder from online stores.
Amla is considered one of the healthiest fruits in the world. It contains 30 times more vitamin C compared to Oranges, making it the fruit richest in Vitamin C. (1)
In addition to Vitamins and Tannins, this fruit is rich in kaempferol, flavonoids, and gallic acid, all of which are essential in promoting healthy hair growth.
Benefits of Amla on hair include:
- Boosts collagen production. Vitamins C and other antioxidants present in Amla help in collagen production. Collagen strengthens the hair strands making them less prone to breakage.
- Amla oil dissolves grease and dirt from the follicles opening them for maximum nutrient absorption.
- Antioxidants present in Amla help keep hair follicles healthy by fighting off the damage-causing free radicals.
- Tannin present in Amla helps protect the hair from heat
- Amla contains antifungal and antiviral properties and therefore may improve the scalp health by preventing.
Amla can be used in very many different ways to promote hair growth. The easiest way is to consume the raw fruit. You can also use Amla oil in your hair regimen by either blending the oil with other oils or directly massaging the oil into the scalp.
Amla powder is also a great form to use in your hair care routine. You can make a hair mask using Amla powder. To make the mask, mix the powder with water to make a paste. Apply the paste into your hair and leave it on for at least 30 minutes before rinsing it off.
You can also experiment with Amla powder by adding in other herbs and oils to make a much more potent hydrating mask for your hair.
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2. Apples
You’ve heard of the saying, ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away.’ Apples are a healthy addition to your diet as they contain vitamins A, B and C which are vital for your health. According to research, apples contain procyanidin B-2, a compound which promotes hair growth in hair epithelial cells.(2)
A study was done on 250 patients with patterns of baldness. They were treated with the apple extract. Results indicate that supplementation with the natural apple extract promotes hair growth by increasing hair density, weight and keratin content. (3)
Additionally, apples contain antioxidants which help to combat free radicals in hair thus shielding it from damage.
How to use Apples to promote hair growth
There are several options on using apples to promote hair growth.
In your diet
Including apples in your diets is ones of the best ways of getting the nutritional value of apples for your overall healthy. When you get the required nutrients, the body functions well and that includes hair growth.
Make an Apple juice hair rinse
You can use apples to make a DIY Apply Juice rinse. This is also a great way to incorporate apples in your hair care routine.
Make apple juice using the whole fruits, you can remove the seeds but leave the peels on. Apply juice in your hair and leave it on for about 20 minutes before washing it off.
3. Banana
The banana is such a popular food in hair care. It can be used to make various DIY hair masks and deep conditioners when combined with other ingredients.
Bananas offer great nutritional and medicinal benefits. This fruit is packed with nutrients with nutrients such as potassium, carbohydrates, vitamins and natural oils. (4)
These nutrients work by boosting the hair thickness, texture, elasticity and luster. The nutrients in the banana fruit also help in softening the hair and protecting it from split ends and breakage. Bananas also contain silica, a mineral element that helps the body in the synthesis of the collagen. This mineral element is responsible for making hair stronger.
Besides improving manageability, bananas also work in the control of dandruff and in promoting hair growth. Due to its anti-microbial properties, bananas help in relieving a flaky dry scalp thus its ability in the control of dandruff. They also have antioxidants which help in combating free radicals in hair thus promoting growth.
A study on the effect of unripe banana fruit on hair indicates that extract of unripe banana fruit promotes hair growth.
Besides taking it in your diet, bananas can be combined with other ingredients to make a hair masks.
Some popular banana hair masks include:
- Banana and avocado hair mask
- Banana and egg hair mask
- Banana and honey hair mask
4. Grapes
Grapes contain citrus oils which have antioxidants properties that help in reducing hair fall by combating free radicals. For this reason and others, grapes have been used to promote hair growth.
An intake of grapes is useful in soothing the scalp and keeping your hair soft and shiny all day long. Besides the dietary intake, oils can also be extracted from the fruit for hair use. Grapes can also be used to wade off dandruff.
Grape seed oils contain conditioning agents. The oils extracts from grapes contain linoleic acid an essential fatty acid for the body. Deficiency in this oil can lead to a dry scalp and even worse- hair loss.
How to use Grapes for hair growth
- Incorporate Grapes in your diets to benefit from the richness in nutrients that this wonderful fruits provides.
- Used Grapeseed oil in your hair regimen. Grapeseed oil is a very light oil that can easily penetrate the hair shaft hence very good for low porosity hair. You can massage the oil directly to the roots or blend it with other oils to make a powerful mixture.
Read this article to learn more about the benefits of Grapeseed Oil on hair.
5. Avocado
If you haven’t heard about the benefits of Avocado on hair, then you are living on a different planet! Avocado, together with banana are the most common fruits used in making DIY hair masks and treatments.
The high nutrient content of Avocado makes is great for hair. Avocado contains fat-soluble vitamins, high levels of proteins, potassium and unsaturated fatty acids.
Avocados contains biotin which is one of the best known vitamins for promoting hair growth. Biotin deficiency can cause hair loss and therefore incorporating Avocados in your diet is not such a bad idea.
Avocados are great for moisturizing the hair because they contain natural oils and unsaturated fatty acids which intensely moisturize the hair particularly dry and dehydrated hair.
You can use Avocado to promote hair growth by (i) consuming the Avocados, (ii) making a DIY moisturizing masks and (iii) using Avocado oil to apply to the hair.
Learn more about the benefits of Avocado Oil & how to use on hair from this detailed Avocado Oil article.
6. Pomegranates
Pomegranates are widely used in Asian communities as an Ayurveda to treat several diseases. Besides being good on your overall health, this fruit is also great in ensuring the body has essential nutrients required for hair growth.
When compared to green tea, Pomegranate has 3 times more antioxidants. As we already know from other fruits above, antioxidants are great in combating free radical that may result in hair fall.
Pomegranate seeds contains Punicic acid which has been found to strengthen the hair follicles by improving blood circulation to the scalp. (5)
When used as oil, pomegranate oil deeply moisturizes the scalp and hair strands and helps in smoothening frizzy hair.
There are two main ways of getting the benefits of Pomegranate on your hair: (i) consuming the raw fruit or in juices and (ii) Massage Pomegranate oil into your roots at least once or twice a month.
7. Guava
Guava, also known as the magical fruit is revered for its great nutritional value and a wealth of benefits. Guavas contain vitamin B and C which help in boosting collagen activity required to promote hair growth.
It has antioxidants that are helpful in enhancing blood circulation thus promotion of hair growth.
Guavas also have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties which help to maintain a healthy scalp free off dandruff and other diseases.
Guavas are also rich in nutrients such as manganese and potassium almost the same levels as a banana. They contain about 80% of water which help in keeping the hair hydrated.
Guavas can be taken as a fruit in juice form or in processed forms such as jams. Another interesting way of using guava to promote hair growth is in making a DIY hair treatment from Guava leaves.
To use the Guava leaves, you will need to make a paste by grinding the leaves. The paste is then applied to the scalp and left on for about 30 minutes before washing it off.
8. Oranges
Did you know that consumption of orange fruit can help in stimulating hair growth? Oranges contain micro and macro nutrients which are all beneficial to your health.
They are a rich source of flavanoids, phenolic and pectins compounds. The Vitamin C in oranges along with bio flavonoids help in stimulating circulation to the scalp thus promoting hair growth. A deficiency in vitamin C on the other hand leads to dry hair and may even lead to hair loss.
Oranges are known to have antioxidant, antifungal and antibacterial properties. These help in combating free radicals in hair thus improving hair by preventing hair fall, dandruff and other scalp related infections.
Orange juice, orange peel and its extract, are a great source of antioxidants which are effective for treating hair fall and unhealthy hair. Orange hair mask can be used on the scalp to control and relieve dandruff. You can also make your own orange shampoo or conditioner to achieve a lustrous look.
9. Pineapples
This tropical fruit is packed with nutrients that are good for your hair and your overall health. The pineapple fruit contains vitamin A, C, K. It also contains minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, zinc and manganese which are good for hair health.(6)
Calcium deficiency may lead to hair loss and therefore it is important to ensure that you include a diet rich in Calcium. Pineapples are a good source of Calcium.
Vitamin C is important for hair health as it helps reduce hair loss and also boosts collagen. The vitamin C in pineapples is responsible for softer and shinier hair. The vital nutrients in pineapples help in enriching hair follicles and improving hair elasticity.
The bromelain in pineapples has anti-inflammatory properties that make the fruit an excellent choice in fighting scalp related conditions such as psoriasis. Pineapples are also rich in antioxidants which help in combating free radicals in hair thus boosting your hairs health.
Pineapple can be taken as a whole fruit or as a juice. It can also be incorporated into various dishes such as rice, chicken, cakes etc.
10. Cherries
The cherry fruit is a potent source of nutrients that are beneficial for your health. It contains vitamins A, B, C and E which help to nourish the hair and keep it hydrated. The fruit is a rich source of polyphenols and vitamin C which have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that are good for your hair health. (7)
Vitamin C also strengthens hair follicles, prevents hair loss and promotes growth. The vitamin B and E present in Cherries helps in improving blood circulation in the scalp thus enhancing hair growth.
Cherries can be taken in their raw form or can be included in cakes and puddings or in salads.
11. Plums
Plums have high antioxidant content that is useful in combating free radicals that cause hair fall and protecting it against harmful UV rays. Its anti inflammatory properties are also useful in relieving itchy scalp and preventing effects of scalp infections. (8)
Plums can be taken raw or can be used in different dishes. It can be added into cakes and pies, salads, yoghurt or smoothies.
12. Lemon
Lemon is another popular fruit that is used in natural hair care. Lemon is a particularly popular in hair care because it is believed to be a great alternative to washing hair without shampoo.
Lemons are loaded with Vitamins C which is very essential in hair growth. A deficiency in Vitamins C will result in weak hair that is prone to breaking.
Lemons benefit the hair by improving shine and helps in maintaining a clean scalp free from dandruff. Lemon is also great for balancing the hair’s PH.
You can use lemon directly on your hair by diluting it and using it as a hair rinse or by adding it to your DIY hair masks. It is also recommended that you add lemons to your diet either in juices or in salads.
Ensure you are using dilute lemon to avoid irritation of the scalp. If you notice any irritation discontinue the use of lemon immediately.
Lastly,
There is wide array of hair products available to make your hair healthy and lustrous. While these products work, it is of utmost important that you ensure that you take a healthy diet. Get started on your journey to achieve a beautiful healthy mane by upping your consumption of the above fruits.
Before you leave, you may find this recommended products page useful. Here you will find the natural hair products that my friends & I have found to be very good for natural hair.
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