5 Foods To Prevent Premature Grey Hair, According To Experts

Hair greying tends to be seen as all genetics or age-related, but science implies your diet is a silent player in your hair's colouring book. Premature greying—a condition more and more recognised in young adults—is generally a product of nutritional deficiencies and oxidative stress within the hair follicles.

Melanin, the colour pigment that gives your hair its bright appearance, needs a continuous supply of micronutrients such as Vitamin B12, copper, iron, zinc, and antioxidants to work as required. When your diet lacks these, the colour change in your hair follicles can switch off sooner than anticipated.

"Premature greying is a reflection of your eating habits and lifestyle," says Avanish Agarwal, founder of Nutriiya. "The appropriate intake of food can postpone, and in some instances even re-pigment the hair, by re-establishing the inner equilibrium."

5 Foods To Prevent Premature Grey Hair

Here are five foods, as suggested by Kanikka Malhotra, Clinical Nutritionist, and Avanish Agarwal, that can be incorporated in your diet to slow down the greying of your hair.

1. Eggs

A healthy diet should contain high-quality protein foods that provide certain pigment-enhancing vitamins. Eggs yield a highly powerful mix of Vitamin B12 and protein, which are vital for increasing melanin production and the structure of the hair as a whole.

2. Lentils

These pulses are underrated stores of copper and folic acid. Copper deficiency is a recognised cause of premature greying since it's directly crucial for the melanin pigment synthesis in the hair.

3. Amla (Indian Gooseberry)

Free radical-caused oxidative stress actively harms the melanocytes (pigment cells) in your follicles. Antioxidants are your prime defenders. As a superfood, Amla contains antioxidants that combat free radicals and oxidative stress. It also maintains natural hair pigmentation and is a must-have for healthy hair.

4. Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are protective agents for your hair follicle cells. They contain zinc and biotin, which prevent the cells from oxidative stress and keep them in working condition. Regular consumption ensures that the body stays safe with a strong barrier against premature pigment loss.

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4. Blackstrap Molasses

This raw by-product of sugarcane is an unexpected source of minerals directly involved in pigmentation. It is surprisingly rich in iron, copper, and magnesium. Experts point out that copper deficiency is one of the major causes of early greying, and a pinch of molasses can restore this very essential trace mineral balance naturally.

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Bottomline

What you consume affects how your cells age and, by extension, the colour of your hair. Although food is not a magic bullet to prevent all greying, an optimal diet that is rich in these pigment-reinforcing minerals and antioxidants is your top plan for strengthening your hair from within and keeping the process off as long as possible.

Image courtesy: Freepik

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