A woman’s hair is her glory, they say. And while some of us are blessed with long, fast-growing and full hair, some others aren’t. In the past few years, quite a number of Nigerian (and African) women have embraced their natural hair, avoiding all forms of chemical enhancers to relax or retouch it. However, others can’t deal with the stress of maintaining their natural curls. But whether you choose to wear your curls or straighten your hair, it is important that you care for it in order to avoid breakage, uneven tips, scanty edges and slow growth.
If you are frustrated about the state of your hair and perhaps are considering the big chop, a conscious change in diet could be your saving tip. Eating the right foods can have a great impact on the growth of your hair. What you put in your body is as important as the products you use on your hair. A good start would be increasing your protein intake with foods such as fish, beans, meat and whole grains. Also of great benefit to the hair’s growth are fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins A, C and E. These can be found abundantly in pumpkin leaves, popularly known as ugu, greens such as those used in preparing efo riro, oranges, pawpaw, almonds, avocados, and sweet potatoes. Zinc and iron rich foods are also great choices for healthy hair. These foods include, dairy products like milk, cheese and yoghurt. If you are lactose intolerant you can opt for eggs, unripe plantain and dark chocolate.
The best way to ensure you are getting enough is to eat a varied diet from the classes of food mentioned above. In addition to helping your hair grow fuller and richer, they will also enrich your body.