12 Wonderful Vegetables For Hair Growth

Feed your mane with some nutritious greens to flaunt long and lustrous hair.

Reviewed by Avantii Deshpaande, Certified Nutrigenomic Counselor
Written by Jyotsana Rao, BE
Edited by Eshna Das, BA, MSc
Fact-checked by Krati Darak, MBA, Certified Skin Care Coach  • 

Vegetables are your best friends to lose those extra pounds. But do you know these humble veggies are also great for your hair? Yes! There are multiple benefits of vegetables for hair growth. Vegetables for hair growth contain vitamins, fiber, and minerals, which help manage and maintain the texture, thickness, and smoothness of your strands.

Here I’ll list down some pointers to keep your hair healthy and happy. Before that, like always, here are some things to know before you start with the tips

  1. Clean, damp hair absorbs nutrients better than dry, dirty hair. It might look like a cumbersome task to wash your hair, put on a pack, and then wash it again, but it’s totally worth it. There is a reason why salons give you a hair wash before and treatment and styling.
  2. Using warm water opens up your hair and scalp pores while cold water closes them. So use warm water before application and cold water post-application.
  3. Avoid using hot water on your hair as it drains hair of its natural oils and lessens its elasticity.
  4. Some vegetables leave a weird smell, so follow up with your favorite conditioner to mask the smell.
  5. Any mask needs ample time to penetrate into your hair. Leave on the mask for at least 30 minutes to see the effects.
  6. Also, do not leave it for too long. When the mask starts drying, it might draw water from the hair and counteract the results.

Vegetables For Hair Growth:

Now let’s see some of the most beneficial vegetables that can be included to your list of best tips for hair growth.

1. Spinach

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Amongst those vegetables that are considered nutritious for your hair, spinach tops the list. Full of edible fiber, spinach is a rich source of iron and zinc in addition to other essential vitamins and minerals. These two particular minerals are highly necessary for the hair, as the absence of zinc and iron often leads to hair loss in many people (1), (2).

protip_icon Quick Tip
Apart from consuming spinach, you can also use its paste mixed with coconut oil as a weekly hair mask

2. Carrots

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Carrots are the second-best vegetable for hair growth. Carrots are a rich store of Vitamin B7 or Biotin that is considered a healthy tonic for the hair. Biotin is essential for hair re-growth. At the same time, it helps to strengthen the hair roots so that hair does not fall out easily (3), (4). Carrots are also rich in beta-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A, which may help boost hair health.

Boil some carrots and blend them. Don’t throw the water you boiled them in, use the same to grind and blend them. Apply the paste to your hair and leave it on for 30 minutes. Wash it away. This mask helps reduce hair fall, promotes hair growth, and aids in hair regrowth.

Fisayo Adeyemi, a blogger, shared her experience of using carrot as a pre-poo, hot oil treatment, and as a sealant to combat hair loss. She said, “I read about carrot oil, and since I started using it, I have noticed a real change in the texture and growth rate of my hair (i).”

3. Onions

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Onions are also a helpful nutrient for the hair. It is an affluent source of zinc, iron and biotin, all of which are needful for hair growth. In addition to hair growth, onion is a wonderful vegetable that helps in preventing the premature graying of hair (5).

4. Sweet Potatoes

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Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of beta-carotene. Our body transforms beta-carotene into Vitamin A. Beta-carotene is required for cell repair within the body. Sweet potatoes fulfill the dearth of Vitamin A to a large extent (6), (7).

5. Tomatoes

Tomatoes can help promote hair growth
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Tomatoes are rich sources of the antioxidant, lycopene. Antioxidants are also effective cell-repairing agents. They help to remove impurities and toxins from the surface of the scalp. One can either consume tomatoes directly or apply the tomato pulp on the scalp for better results. Tomatoes help to improve the shine and luster of the hair (8).

6. Garlic

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Although having a pungent smell, garlic is an ideal tonic for the hair. It is good to add this to your regular diet chart, as it contains very few calories. In addition, garlic contains a very high sulfur content, which is considered best for hair re-growth (9), (10).

7. Beetroots

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Having a red-colored vegetable increases your lycopene, which is known to increase hair growth rate. Beetroots contain lycopene that helps to stimulate hair growth. In addition to beetroots, most  reddish vegetables are good for the hair, as they might contain the same nutrient (11).

8. Curry Leaves

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Relatively less discussed, curry leaves are an excellent antidote for hair loss. Curry leaves contain many beneficial compounds due to which it is considered an ideal tonic for hair growth and offers you lustrous hair (12), (13).

protip_icon Quick Tip
Using an infused oil is the best way to utilize the benefits of curry leaves. Heat the leaves in coconut oil and apply it to hair for best results.

9. French Beans

Image: Wikimedia by Jamain / CC BY-SA 3.0

 

French beans are the richest source of Vitamins A and E. Vitamin E is highly needful for improving the luster and volume of hair. It also protects your hair from premature graying (14), (15).

10. Green Chili

 

Another rich store of keratin and Vitamin E, green chilies are excellent for fostering hair growth. It also helps to repair the damaged cells of the scalp in order to promote new hair follicles (16).

11. Orange veggies

give you beta compounds which also help achieve healthy long hair. They reduce hair breakage and hair fall. Get your dose of beta carotene from oranges and yellow colored vegetables – bell peppers is a great source.

12. Cucumber

It is also known to achieve healthy hair. Blend in some fresh cucumbers and apply the paste to your scalp and massage thoroughly. You might want to add some fenugreek powder as the blend will be runny (17).

Infographic: Top 5 Vegetables For Hair Growth

While a good hair care routine plays an important role, the food you eat is equally essential for strong and healthy hair. Vegetables contain vital nutrients that can aid in hair nourishment. We have compiled a list of the top 5 vegetables you should include in your diet. Check out the infographic below to know more!

top 5 vegetable for hair growth (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Consuming vegetables is an excellent way to promote hair growth as it helps with hair strengthening and improves overall hair health. Vegetables like spinach, onions, carrots, garlic, tomatoes, beetroots, sweet potatoes, french beans, orange veggies, green chilies, and leafy greens can positively promote hair health. In addition, you also can use hair masks, avoid hot water for washing your hair, follow a balanced diet, and have adequate hydration to promote your hair growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What drinks help with hair growth?

In some studies, the traditional Asian herbal mixture of Houttuynia cordata Thunb (chameleon plant), Perilla frutescens Var. acuta (beefsteak plant), and green tea were found to stimulate hair growth in mice (18). However, if these drinks can also show similar effects in humans is yet to be studied.

Can a vegetable-heavy diet help prevent hair loss?

No. You should have a balanced diet rich in proteins, fats, and essential vitamins and minerals for healthy hair. Additionally, you should incorporate healthy lifestyle changes, such as proper hydration and adequate sleep and exercise for optimal hair health.

How long does it take to see results from eating vegetables for hair growth?

Since any diet change takes time to work, you may see results from eating vegetables for hair growth in about 3-6 months. Also, the changes will be visible only if you are consistent with your diet and healthy lifestyle.

Are there any vegetables that can actually harm my hair or scalp?

No, vegetables are a natural product and may not harm your hair or scalp. That said, if you are allergic to any vegetable or have a sensitive scalp, you may notice irritation with its use. Always perform a patch test before topical application of any vegetable to avoid this.

Can a lack of vegetables in my diet lead to hair loss?

Yes, a lack of vegetables in your diet may lead to hair loss as you miss out on essential vitamins and minerals this way (19). To avoid it, try to incorporate enough vegetables into your diet.

Key Takeaways

  • Wash the hair with warm water to open up the pores, and rinse with cold water while using a hair mask.
  • Hair masks made by grinding vegetables such as spinach or carrot help combat hair loss.
  • Onions prevent premature graying of hair and promote hair growth.
  • Colored vegetables such as sweet potatoes and carrots are rich in vitamins and beta-carotene that aid cell repair.
  • Red vegetables such as tomato and beetroot contain lycopene, which increases hair growth.
  • Oils infused with garlic or curry leaves are an excellent antidote and give lustrous long hair.
  • Mineral-rich vegetables may help promote hair thickness and improve hair texture.
  • Juices and smoothies made out of antioxidant vegetables may help enhance hair growth.
Vegetables For Hair Growth

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Vegetables contain essential minerals and vitamins that can boost your hair growth. Check out the video below to find out the top 10 vegetables that can help you get strong and healthy hair.

Personal Experience: Source

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. Functional properties of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) phytochemicals and bioactives
    https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2016/FO/C6FO00051G
  2. Nutrition of women with hair loss problem during the period of menopause
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4828511/
  3. Chemical composition functional properties and processing of carrot—a review
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3550877/
  4. Unusual manifestation of vitamin A deficiency presenting with generalized xerosis without night blindness
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5930185/
  5. Onion juice (Allium cepa L.) a new topical treatment for alopecia areata
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12126069/
  6. Beta-carotene-rich orange-fleshed sweet potato improves the vitamin A status of primary school children assessed with the modified-relative-dose-response test
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15883432/
  7. The role of micronutrients in alopecia areata: A Review
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5685931/
  8. Effects of Lycopersicon esculentum extract on hair growth and alopecia prevention
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24397881/
  9. TREATMENT OF ALOPECIA AREATA WITH TOPICAL GARLIC EXTRACT
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260656650_TREATMENT_OF_ALOPECIA_AREATA_WITH_TOPICAL_GARLIC_EXTRACT
  10. The influence of sulfur and hair growth on stable isotope diet estimates for grizzly bears
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5332026/
  11. What Can Complex Dietary Supplements Do for Hair Loss and How Can It Be Validly Measured—A Review
    https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/14/4996/htm
  12. A Review on Murraya koenigii: for Hair Growth Promoter
    https://rjpponline.org/HTML_Papers/Research%20Journal%20of%20Pharmacognosy%20and%20Phytochemistry__PID__2021-13-1-7.html
  13. Murraya Koenigii: An Updated Review
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304146651_Murraya_Koenigii_An_Updated_Review
  14. Beans snap green raw
    https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169961/nutrients
  15. Effects of Tocotrienol Supplementation on Hair Growth in Human Volunteers
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3819075/
  16. Administration of capsaicin and isoflavone promotes hair growth by increasing insulin-like growth factor-I production in mice and in humans with alopecia
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17569567/
  17. Health Beneficial Effects of Cucumber
    https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/76616
  18. An Asian traditional herbal complex containing Houttuynia cordata Thunb, Perilla frutescens Var. acuta and green tea stimulates hair growth in mice
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29197368/
  19. The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6380979/
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