5 Valentine's Day Foods to Boost Your Hair Health and Libido
If you're looking to put an extra pep in your step this Valentine's Day, why not give your hair health a boost at the same time?
Although eating these foods won't help to treat hair loss they all include specific vitamins and minerals that can improve the hair's overall condition.
According to a 2007 study reported in the International Journal of Impotence Research, pomegranate juice helped effect mild to moderate positive changes in men with erectile dysfunction issues.
A separate study showed that athletes taking a single gram of pomegranate extract 30 minutes before exercising significantly enhanced their blood flow. This gave them improved performance with delayed fatigue onset.
Pomegranates are also packed with antioxidants - clocking up three times the antioxidant activity found in red wine or green tea according to research - which are great for hair health.
Perhaps not the most romantic of foods but eggs are a wonderful, low calorie source of protein. This means they are great for providing stamina for both men and women in addition to being a well-known hair-health booster food.
They also contain significant amounts of the amino acid L-arginine which has been linked to improvements in erectile dysfunction.
For significant changes, however, WebMD advises, "You need a lot and you need to take it frequently for it to work".
Did you know that watermelon is said to be nature's Viagra? "Watermelon contains a phytonutrient called citrulline, which the body converts to arginine, an amino acid that boosts nitric oxide levels in the body, which relax blood vessels in the same way a medicine like Viagra does," Florida-based doctors Anna Maria and Brian Clement, the authors of 7 Keys to Lifelong Sexual Vitality, tell Fitness Magazine.
It is also high in Vitamin A and Vitamin C, which aid the hair's natural vitality by helping the scalp to produce healthy sebum.
Sounds like there are a few reasons to get that side salad!
As well as being a traditional Ayurvedic ingredient thought to 'cure' male hair loss due to its abundance of iron, zinc and vitamins A and C, iceberg lettuce is believed to have other benefits.
Used by the ancient Egyptians as an aphrodisiac, Iceberg lettuce in particular is believed to contain a type of opiate which helps to activate sex hormones.
Rump steak is incredibly well-endowed in the zinc department, a mineral that is believed to increase testosterone levels, curb production of the hormone prolactin which can impair sexual function, and cause increased sensitivity to the sex organs. Studies have also shown that women with higher levels of zinc also have a higher sex drive.
Additionally, Zinc is essential for hair health - and general wellbeing - as it increases absorption of vitamins and minerals in your system. A zinc deficiency can cause dandruff and may also lead to Telogen Effluvium which displays as thinning hair all over the scalp and, although it mostly affects women, can also occur in men.
According to the NHS, UK recommended daily allowances of zinc are 5.5-9.5mg a day for men and 4.0-7.0mg a day for women. So with rump steak generally containing an average 3.9mg, extra portions may not be advisable. The NHS website further cautions, 'Taking high doses of zinc reduces the amount of copper the body can absorb. This can lead to anaemia and weakening of the bones.'
Including these foods as part of a balanced diet may help to keep your hair healthy, although if you are concerned that you may be lacking in certain elements, topping up with a specially-targeted food supplement can be worthwhile. If you are more concerned about excessive shedding, however, speak to a specialist who can diagnose your condition and provide you with recommendations for a bespoke hair loss treatment plan.
Although eating these foods won't help to treat hair loss they all include specific vitamins and minerals that can improve the hair's overall condition.
1 Pomegranates
According to a 2007 study reported in the International Journal of Impotence Research, pomegranate juice helped effect mild to moderate positive changes in men with erectile dysfunction issues.
A separate study showed that athletes taking a single gram of pomegranate extract 30 minutes before exercising significantly enhanced their blood flow. This gave them improved performance with delayed fatigue onset.
Pomegranates are also packed with antioxidants - clocking up three times the antioxidant activity found in red wine or green tea according to research - which are great for hair health.
2 Eggs
Perhaps not the most romantic of foods but eggs are a wonderful, low calorie source of protein. This means they are great for providing stamina for both men and women in addition to being a well-known hair-health booster food.
They also contain significant amounts of the amino acid L-arginine which has been linked to improvements in erectile dysfunction.
For significant changes, however, WebMD advises, "You need a lot and you need to take it frequently for it to work".
3 Watermelon
Did you know that watermelon is said to be nature's Viagra? "Watermelon contains a phytonutrient called citrulline, which the body converts to arginine, an amino acid that boosts nitric oxide levels in the body, which relax blood vessels in the same way a medicine like Viagra does," Florida-based doctors Anna Maria and Brian Clement, the authors of 7 Keys to Lifelong Sexual Vitality, tell Fitness Magazine.
It is also high in Vitamin A and Vitamin C, which aid the hair's natural vitality by helping the scalp to produce healthy sebum.
4 Iceberg lettuce
Sounds like there are a few reasons to get that side salad!
As well as being a traditional Ayurvedic ingredient thought to 'cure' male hair loss due to its abundance of iron, zinc and vitamins A and C, iceberg lettuce is believed to have other benefits.
Used by the ancient Egyptians as an aphrodisiac, Iceberg lettuce in particular is believed to contain a type of opiate which helps to activate sex hormones.
5 Rump steak
Rump steak is incredibly well-endowed in the zinc department, a mineral that is believed to increase testosterone levels, curb production of the hormone prolactin which can impair sexual function, and cause increased sensitivity to the sex organs. Studies have also shown that women with higher levels of zinc also have a higher sex drive.
Additionally, Zinc is essential for hair health - and general wellbeing - as it increases absorption of vitamins and minerals in your system. A zinc deficiency can cause dandruff and may also lead to Telogen Effluvium which displays as thinning hair all over the scalp and, although it mostly affects women, can also occur in men.
According to the NHS, UK recommended daily allowances of zinc are 5.5-9.5mg a day for men and 4.0-7.0mg a day for women. So with rump steak generally containing an average 3.9mg, extra portions may not be advisable. The NHS website further cautions, 'Taking high doses of zinc reduces the amount of copper the body can absorb. This can lead to anaemia and weakening of the bones.'
Including these foods as part of a balanced diet may help to keep your hair healthy, although if you are concerned that you may be lacking in certain elements, topping up with a specially-targeted food supplement can be worthwhile. If you are more concerned about excessive shedding, however, speak to a specialist who can diagnose your condition and provide you with recommendations for a bespoke hair loss treatment plan.
The Belgravia Centre
The Belgravia Centre is a world-renowned group of a hair loss clinic in Central London, UK. If you are worried about hair loss you can arrange a free consultation with a hair loss expert or complete our Online Consultation from anywhere in the world for home-use treatment.
View our Hair Loss Success Stories, which includes the world's largest gallery of hair growth photos and demonstrates the level of success that so many of Belgravia's patients achieve.
