Looking for the "how to" on shiny hair? Hair care products may provide some temporary help, but I am finding out there that diet has more to do with getting long term natural shine than any hair care "product," which may only give you a temporary, quick fix shine. For long term shine (that's real) it is an ever giving result of a healthy body. Of course, different hair types and amount of oil secretion differ person to person, but eating certain foods may maximize or at least improve your shine. (Not sure whether this information would help one grow more hair (for the curious men out there)?? But at least this post should help you prevent your hair from getting brittle and weak if it is not genetic).
Here are a few foods that help make your hair more shiny:
1) Eggs. I love eggs, and have been eating them more and more over the last couple of years. The yolk is extremely nutritious to the body. For one, it consists a great deal of choline, which actually prevents the accumulation of cholesterol and fat in the liver. When it comes to hair, vitamin B12 and protein in eggs penetrate into the root and hair follicles to repair and nourish hair. Eggs also contain biotin, which is really good for skin and hair. Consider the egg to be one of your top beauty agents found in nature.
2) Citrus. Foods that are super high in vitamin C like citrus fruits, oranges, lemons, pomegranetes (oh yum!) are great for your hair because the rich vitamin C content is used in the formation of collagen. Vitamin C foods, have been known to protect hair from free radicals that may damage hair, causing it to become brittle and weak. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that vitamin C can be used to help treat and prevent hair disorders such as alopecia. They say that low intake of vitamin C in a person's diet may lead to splitting or dry hair related conditions. Yikes! Vitamin C it is!
3) Seafood. Natural oils are very beneficial for shiny hair, especially the ones found in fish, shellfish, and other seafood. Salmon and tuna are rich in natural oils that are not only amazing for your hair but also work to rejuvenate skin. Seafood is naturally high in protein and vitamin B, which are both important to nourishing the hair.
4) Legumes. Beans and nuts are hearty, rich in flavor, and provide many benefits to your hair and scalp. Foods like peanuts, kidney beans, chick peas, and other similar foods are also full of natural oils. Natural oils moisturize your hair and scalp. Why not ditch the harsh chemical products that could have long term detrimental effects on your body and your skin, and go the natural food way?!
Stay away from foods that contain a lot of fat and sugars.
Other related posts: Ode to Mr. Strong and Eggs, Pumping Iron with Mollusks
Source: www.associatedcontent.com, www.livestrong.com
Showing posts with label beans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beans. Show all posts
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Love the Fava a Lotta
Say that 100 times for a tongue twister! Fava beans (also called broadbeans) are not as popular as other beans, but this vegetable has a distinct look and taste. The peapod is BIG. Take your typical green bean and magnify it a few hundred percent. It's like they should belong to food of giants. The bean is more like a lima bean, but has an even more solid texture and it gets filling when you eat it. This makes sense because fava beans are loaded with fiber. A half cup yields 4-5 grams of the 25 grams of fiber that we need daily.*
In addition to the loads of fiber, other awesome benefits of fava beans are that they are low fat, saturated fat free, cholesterol free, good source of vitamin B1, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium. Also a really good source of folate and manganese.**
When choosing fava beans, you want fresh and firm. No markings on the pod. There is, however, some bronzing on the outside. You want pods that are slightly weighty and plump to the touch.
So why don't we eat this bean more often? One downside - you have to shuck them from the pod and so they get somewhat labor-intensive. Takes some planning rather than just wash and use. Great as a side dish though and super yummy when sauteed. Here is my fava bean dish.
Source of top picture: http://www.healthytimesblog.com/2011/05/welcome-these-seasonal-spring-foods-i/ and reference for *
Other sources including **: http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/?page_id=11589
In addition to the loads of fiber, other awesome benefits of fava beans are that they are low fat, saturated fat free, cholesterol free, good source of vitamin B1, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium. Also a really good source of folate and manganese.**
When choosing fava beans, you want fresh and firm. No markings on the pod. There is, however, some bronzing on the outside. You want pods that are slightly weighty and plump to the touch.
So why don't we eat this bean more often? One downside - you have to shuck them from the pod and so they get somewhat labor-intensive. Takes some planning rather than just wash and use. Great as a side dish though and super yummy when sauteed. Here is my fava bean dish.
Source of top picture: http://www.healthytimesblog.com/2011/05/welcome-these-seasonal-spring-foods-i/ and reference for *
Other sources including **: http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/?page_id=11589
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