It’s no surprise that what you eat affects the way you look. Food plays a crucial role in maintaining your hair and skin health. And a poor diet can lead to accelerated skin ageing, hair fall, and so much more. But did you know that food can also increase the pigmentation of hair and skin colour? That’s right! Melanin-rich foods AKA foods that are rich in this pigment-causing substance can add to your hair and skin colour. Sounds interesting, right? Well, scroll down to learn more about melanin-rich foods and how they can help with your appearance.
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What is Melanin?
Wondering what causes pigmentation in your body? Well, it’s due to the presence of melanin, of course! Melanin is a pigment-causing substance that produces hair, eye, and skin colour. So whether your eyeballs are blue, hair colour black, or you have fair or dark skin, it’s all because of this miracle matter. However, melanin does so much more. It is also responsible for protecting your body as it absorbs harmful UV rays and shields your cells from sun damage.
How To Increase Melanin In Hair?
The percentage of melanin produced by the body varies from person to person. Some may have more or less, depending on various factors including, age, genetics, sun exposure, stress, and more. But luckily for us, there are ways to increase this pigment in hair. These include things like taking vitamins and applying melanin-rich substances to hair and skin. However, one of the best ways to increase melanin production in the hair is by consuming melanin-rich food.
Melanin-Rich Foods For Hair
Want to learn more about how to increase melanin in hair? Well, you’re in luck as we’ve listed the top melanin-rich foods you need to consume for darker, more richer hair colour.
Iron Intake
There are several studies that link iron to melanin production. So, be sure to consume foods like dark green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli, as well as seeds like cashew and peanuts on a daily basis. And guess what? Dark chocolate, too, is rich in iron and can significantly improve hair colour. So, happy snacking!
Copper-Rich Diet
Lack of copper can result in lower counts of melanin in the hair. Hence, consume a rich-copper diet that includes foods like sweet potatoes, chickpeas, avocados, etc.
Antioxidants, DUH
Many are already aware that antioxidants are the unsung culinary hero that help in improving your appearance. But only a few know that they also improve your hair melanin count while protecting your scalp and hair cells from damage. So, it’s important that you consume antioxidant-rich nutrition on a daily basis, which constitutes foods like beans, blueberries, leafy greens, and more!
Foods Loaded With Vitamins
Well, vitamins do not only help keep you healthy, but they are also essential for the production of melanin in your hair. Especially foods containing vitamins A, C, and E, like oily fish, milk, eggs, yoghurt, meat, etc.
Vitamins B6 & B12
These vitamins trigger chemical reactions that promote melanin cell and keratin regeneration in your hair follicles. Hence, it’s important to eat them often. Be sure to add foods like banana, peanuts, pork, poultry, soya beans, for darker coloured hair!
How To Increase Melanin In Skin?
The answer to this question is also food! While you can always apply OTC creams and ointments or even get several skin care treatments done, the safest, most efficient way is to load up on melanin-rich foods like the ones we’ve listed below.
Melanin-Rich Foods For Skin
There are a plethora of food options you can add to your diet for melanin production in skin. Some of them are listed below. Take a look:
Fibre, FTW
Fibre-rich foods are a must if you want beautiful, glowing skin that prompts production of this pigment. This will not only add colour to your skin but also helps shield your skin from UV rays. So, don’t hesitate to include dried fruits, nuts, and seeds in your everyday meals as they are full of fibre.
Try Herbs & Teas
Another way of increasing melanin production in the skin is by adding more of some particular herbs and teas to your diet. Especially adding turmeric and green tea can help produce more melanin in the skin as they contain polyphenols and flavonoids.
The Iconic Vitamin C
Remember when your grandmother told you to eat more fruits and green vegetables for healthy skin. Well, it’s because she knew that they contain vitamin C which helps produce more melanin in the skin while keeping it healthy. So, do listen to her (and us), and add this to your diet from next time on.
Antioxidants, Again
Obviously, we had to mention antioxidants again! Not only do they help increase melanin production in the hair, but they also do the same for your skin. It goes without saying that you must include foods like broccoli, bell peppers, tomatoes, and citrus fruits, in your diet.
Protein-Rich Foods
It may come as a surprise, but protein-rich foods like eggs increase melanin in the skin. They are also a rich source of vitamin A, D, and E, which increases the production of this pigment-causing substance, not just in skin, but hair too.
Now that you know how important melanin-rich foods are, do start including them in your diet.
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