Legumes and the role they play in hair health

Diet and lifestyle play a pivotal role in our hair health.  It doesn't matter how many treatments we do and how well we look after it, we need to take our nutrition and lifestyle into consideration to master the mane once and for all. 

Legumes like lentils, beans, peas, soy beans, peanuts and mung beans are powerhouses packed with nutrients that can support your overall wellness as well as your hair. They contain important vitamins, amino acids and fibre that are important for hair health. Legumes can be overlooked or forgotten about because in the Western diet they generally aren’t consumed, unless you’re talking to a vegetarian of course!

Remember, your body doesn’t recognise your hair as being a priority so your hair will suffer if your nutritional requirements aren’t met. This is why it is so great to incorporate these underrated nutritional powerhouses into your diet. Here are a few reasons why you should add legumes into your diet today:

Amino acids- these are the building blocks of protein, including the keratin protein which is what hair is made of. Consuming enough amino acids, and the right type of amino acids, are important for building strong and healthy hair.

Vitamin C - supports collagen production which helps with hair strength and growth, and is a potent antioxidant to keep free radicals at bay.

Magnesium - is used for multiple systems in our body on a daily basis, and making sure we get enough from our diet helps to prevent a deficiency. Magnesium is vital for protein synthesis, and since our hair is made of protein it should come as no surprise that magnesium is involved in building healthy hair.

Potassium – is an important electrolyte that helps to support fluid balance. When partnered with magnesium your cells function better which in turn help your overall body to function optimally.

Zinc – supports your strands by playing a vital part in cell signalling, hormone balancing and protein synthesis. Zinc also helps the absorption of B vitamins.

B Vitamins – check out our recent post on the importance of B Vitamins for healthy hair.

Try incorporating legumes into your diet by adding them to salads, casseroles, soups or slow cooker combined with a range of vegetables. Need some recipe inspo to get you started? How about a little Beetroot and lentil tabbouleh, Roasted brassicas with puy lentils & halloumi, or a Pumpkin, lentil and mushroom curry to tantalise your taste buds.

Legumes could be the little nutritional powerhouses that you’ve been looking for to take your mane to the next level!