18 Foods That May Help Keep Those Grey Hair at Bay

Spotting that first grey hair can be a bit of a shock, sending many of us on a wild goose chase for the perfect remedy to restore our natural hues. Now, while greying is a part and parcel of the ageing process – a sign of the decline in the melanin pigment, to be precise – it’s not always about getting older. If your locks are turning silver a tad earlier than you’d expected, hold off on raiding the beauty aisle for oils and serums. Instead, let’s redirect your attention to the kitchen! Here are 18 unexpected foods that might just help keep those greys at bay.

So, Why Do Our Hair Turn Grey or White Anyway?

Think of melanin as the artist behind the vibrant shades of our skin and hair. This pigment paints our tresses in various hues, from raven black to fiery red. Melanin’s magic is all down to a process known as melanogenesis, carried out by specialist cells called melanocytes. However, when these cells slow down their production, our hair gradually loses its colour, leading to those dreaded greys. And while our genes play a starring role, other culprits include pollution, stress, and a lack of essential nutrients. Not to mention, our hair faces a daily battle against oxidative damage from pesky free radicals, which can fast-forward the greying process.

How Can Certain Foods Combat Those Silver Strands?

While we’ve hinted at the role of nutrition in premature greying, let’s delve a bit deeper. Think of your hair as a plant. Just as plants need the right mix of nutrients to grow and thrive, so does your hair. Lack of certain vitamins and minerals, coupled with the havoc wreaked by free radicals, can rapidly rob our locks of their natural hue. The antidote? A nutrient-packed diet bursting with B vitamins, vitamin C, L-methionine, copper, folate, calcium, iron, zinc, and a generous dose of antioxidants.

18 Tasty Foods to Keep Those Greys Away:

Milk and Cheese: Let’s kick off with an all-time favourite. Packed with vitamin B12 and calcium, these dairy delights are a treat for your tresses.
Yoghourt: Beyond its creamy goodness, it boasts probiotics and calcium, essential for hair health.
Pickles: A surprising entry, but these tangy treats are rich in B vitamins and biotin.
Eggs: A breakfast staple, eggs come loaded with calcium, selenium, vitamin B12, and L-methionine.
Beetroot: A vibrant veggie bursting with folate, vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium.
Dark Chocolate: Sinfully delightful, yet filled with flavonoids, calcium, iron, and copper.
Mushroom: These earthy delights are a prime source of copper.
Green Leafy Veggies: Spinach leads the way with iron, folate, and vitamin A.
Nuts: A crunchy source of copper and a plethora of trace minerals.
Kiwi/Blueberries/Acai Berries: Nature’s sweet candies, brimming with antioxidants.
Papaya: This tropical fruit shines with vitamin A and folic acid.
Cauliflower: Not just for your curry, it’s a hub of vitamin B5.
Figs: These sweet bites pack a punch with copper.
Pistachios: A nutty treat rich in copper and L-methionine.
Peanuts: Beyond being a snack, they’re filled with vitamin E, copper, manganese, biotin, and folate.
Cabbage: Crunchy and calcium-rich, it’s a win-win for your locks.
Parsley: More than just a garnish, it’s a calcium champion.
Pumpkin Seeds: These tiny wonders are bursting with zinc, iron, copper, and magnesium.