The Independent Pharmacy

Expert Recommended Drinks To Help Hair Growth

Scott McDougall
Scott McDougall
MPharm GPhC 2079324
Director & Registered Manager

What we consume can have a significant impact on our hair health and growth. So, what can you drink to stop hair loss? Many drinks contain key vitamins, minerals, proteins and other nutrients that support hair follicle strength and regeneration. For example, ingredients like biotin, vitamin C, iron, zinc and collagen promote healthy cell production in hair strands. Other compounds improve blood circulation in the scalp to stimulate dormant follicles.

By regularly drinking beverages with these hair-benefiting properties, you can nourish follicles, treat damage, increase growth speed and density, boost shine and refresh dormant roots. Put simply, properly integrating certain drinks into your balanced diet can transform lacklustre, thinning hair into gorgeous, salon-worthy locks.

Let‘s explore how you can leverage drinks to achieve the thick, fast-growing, healthy hair you‘ve always wanted.

1. Kiwi Juice: A Vitamin C Powerhouse

Kiwis are an excellent source of vitamin C, providing over 150% of the daily recommended amount per fruit. Vitamin C is essential for collagen production and tissue health. Since hair follicles consist mostly of collagen proteins, vitamin C plays a vital role in promoting healthy hair growth and shine. The nutrient protects follicles against damage while stimulating new strand production.

Kiwis are rich in antioxidants that protect hair from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can harm cells and contribute to premature greying. They preserve melanin to maintain rich pigmentation. Additionally, kiwis boost iron absorption and circulation for better nutrient delivery to the scalp area. Their high vitamin C, antioxidants and blood flow enhancing effects make drinking kiwi juice ideal for gorgeous hair.

Centrum Advance Multivitamin & Mineral Tablets (60)
Centrum Advance Multivitamin & Mineral Tablets (60)
View Vitamin Supplement

2. Onion Juice: Surprising Benefits for Hair Follicles

Onions contain a variety of hair-boosting nutrients and compounds. They are packed with sulfur, antioxidants, vitamins A, C, E and B6, and minerals like potassium, magnesium and silicon. These all enhance scalp health and circulation for optimal follicle nourishment. Onions also have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to combat conditions causing hair thinning.

Additionally, onions boost collagen production critical for healthy hair growth. The sulfur compounds stimulate collagen and tissues around follicles. This strengthens the root structures so hair strands grow faster and thicker.

However, it‘s important to know that while it‘s often mentioned for hair growth, there isn‘t much scientific evidence. Of course, a study was conducted in 2014 that could support hair growth. But you need to take into account that there have been only 38 participants with alopecia areata, so it might be different for people with other conditions.

3. Leafy Greens: Essential Nutrients in a Glass

Leafy greens like spinach and kale provide key hair vitamins and minerals. They contain bountiful vitamins A, C, iron and selenium. Vitamin C stimulates collagen to build strong hair strands. Iron prevents common nutrient deficiency shedding. Vitamin A and selenium increase scalp blood flow for better absorption.

Juicing leafy greens makes obtaining these nourishing compounds easy. Blend spinach, kale, cucumber, celery and lemon for a vital mineral and antioxidant cocktail. Consuming greens‘ spectrum of vitamins/minerals feeds hair follicles from within - smoothing, strengthening and volumising locks. They help restore nutritional balance to revive lacklustre hair.

4. Omega-3 Rich Drinks: Boosting Scalp Health

Omega-3 fatty acids regulate cell growth and anti-inflammatory processes along the scalp. This makes them vital to hair follicle health and growth cycles. Omega-3 fatty acids help nourish the root cells of your hair, supporting thicker and faster hair growth. They also ensure follicles stay elongating new strands in the anagen phase (growth phase) longer before regressing.

Excellent sources of omega-3 include walnuts, chia seeds, or flaxseed.

Vitabiotics Jointace Omega-3 Capsules (30)
Vitabiotics Jointace Omega-3 Capsules (30)
View Omega-3 Supplement

5. Sweet Potato and Carrot Juice: A Beta-Carotene Bomb

Both sweet potatoes and carrots are packed with beta-carotene. As an antioxidant, beta-carotene protects hair follicle cells from damage that can disrupt healthy growth patterns. It also enables cell renewal around the scalp and regulates sebum production. Sebum is a natural oil that moisturises scalp tissues to prevent brittle hair strands.

Additionally, the body converts beta-carotene into active vitamin A, which plays a key role in managing hair follicle growth cycles. Vitamin A ensures the optimal nutrient delivery required for strong, high-quality hair production.

For a nutritious beta-carotene boost, juice 3 carrots and 1 baked sweet potato. You can integrate spinach or kale as well for extra nutrients. The sweet, earthy taste makes this juice a tasty morning drink.

6. Greek Yogurt Smoothies: Protein and Biotin for Hair Strength

Greek yoghurt contains high levels of protein along with probiotics that support digestive health. The protein provides amino acids essential for building strong keratin structures in hair strands, while the probiotics help absorb nutrients vital to hair follicles. Greek yoghurt also offers a healthy dose of biotin. This B vitamin regulates genes and cell signalling involved in follicle growth cycles.

For a nourishing protein, probiotic and biotin boost, blend 1 cup of Greek yoghurt with 1 cup of mixed berries, 1 tablespoon of chia seeds, 1 teaspoon of honey and 1⁄2 cup of milk or orange juice. The tasty combination of yoghurt, fruit, and seeds fuels hair with compounds that keep strands resilient and growth consistent.

7. Green Tea: Rich in Antioxidants

Green tea is full of antioxidants, known as catechins, which help protect the scalp from damage by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can harm cells, including those in the scalp and hair. This protects structures like hair follicles from excess oxidation, enabling healthy growth patterns. Research shows that catechins also activate follicle cell metabolism rates, which speeds up hair production.

Additional hair-friendly compounds occur in green tea, too. Its antioxidants hinder premature greying, while the natural caffeine improves blood flow. This carries more nutrients and oxygen to follicle cells, translating to faster, higher-quality growth.

Just one cup of green tea daily provides antioxidant catechins essential for optimal follicle function. You can also apply cooled leftover tea directly to the scalp, allowing nutrients to penetrate cell membranes more effectively. Keep hair lush and fast-growing with green tea‘s multitude of healthy hair compounds.

8. Aloe Vera Juice: Soothing and Nourishing

Aloe vera contains over 75 active compounds with hair-boosting properties. It offers anti-inflammatory substances to ease scalp itching and irritation. The soothing effects create an environment primed for healthy growth. Aloe also contains vitamins A, B12, C and E, stimulating cell turnover in hair follicles and keratin production.

Additionally, aloe vera increases blood circulation, which brings more nutrients to your hair roots and helps clear away build-up like oil and dandruff that can block hair follicles. The combined soothing, nourishing and clarifying actions make aloe an ideal ingredient for hair health.

9. Berries and Citrus Fruit Smoothies: Vitamin-Rich Choices

Berries like blueberries and strawberries provide high levels of vitamin C, which stimulates collagen production in hair follicles and skin tissues. Collagen growth strengthens hair strands from their root structures outward. Citrus fruits also contain ample vitamin C along with other beneficial hair nutrients like antioxidants, vitamin B-complex, folate, zinc and phosphorus.

Additionally, the antioxidants in berries and citrus fruits protect hair from environmental factors like UV rays that can cause brittleness or breakage over time. Their vitamins prevent common nutrient deficiencies tied to hair thinning as well.

Simply blending combinations of berries and citrus fruits makes nutritious smoothies with benefits for total hair health. Alternating different fruits ensures you obtain a diverse spectrum of nutrients supporting strong, damage-resistant hair growth.

10. Beetroot Juice: Improving Blood Circulation

Beetroots contain a special group of nutrients called betalains, which improve blood flow when consumed. This enhanced circulation carries more oxygen and nutrients to the scalp area and hair follicles beneath. Nourishing the follicles in this way fosters faster, higher-quality hair growth over time.

Additionally, beetroots provide essential hair health nutrients like iron, folic acid, vitamin C, potassium and zinc. Coupled with the betalains circulation-boosting abilities, beetroots help prevent common nutrient deficiencies tied to weak, sluggish hair production.

Incorporating beetroot juice or beetroot powder into smoothies is an easy way to obtain the circulation and nutrient-assimilation benefits vital for robust hair health and growth. The vibrant phytonutrients actively transport resources directly to scalp follicle structures thirsty for nourishment.

Taking a Holistic Approach to Hair Vitality

While the outlined drinks provide tremendous follicle-nourishing benefits, long-term hair goals are best supported through a comprehensive health approach. Coupling the beverages with generous whole food sources of proteins, produce, and essential fatty acids ensures complete nutritional coverage - energising root to tip.

Additionally, more difficult cases may require specialist intervention to reactivate growth cycles unresponsive to base dietary adjustments alone. Hormonal conditions, high stress or disorders overwhelming natural efforts may need targeted relief. Medications such as minoxidil (Regaine) and finasteride (Propecia) have been proven effective in stimulating hair growth by enhancing the activity of hair follicles.

Careful personalisation identifying and then removing unique barriers while consistently supplying proven treatments over time allows transformational success. By layering blood-enriching drinks, absorption-focused diet upgrades, and advanced biological stimulants under guidance, vibrant, enviable hair can thrive within reach.

Potential Risks and Considerations

While these drinks offer tremendous hair-enhancing benefits, some risks exist. Consuming vegetable juices with certain medications can slow down absorption or interact negatively due to high vitamin K levels - this applies to blood thinners and antibiotics particularly. Excess oxalates from greens like spinach may worsen kidney issues in susceptible individuals.

Additionally, some citrus fruits increase the sensitivity of your skin to UV radiation from the sun, making people more prone to sunburns. Start slowly monitoring how unique body chemistry reacts by adding one new drink at a time. Moderate consumption levels as well and keep proper hydration. As always, consult your healthcare provider before making any major dietary changes while managing health conditions. Being informed ensures you amplify hair improvement safely.

Your Next Steps

So, what should you do on the way towards healthier hair next? Setting personal goals for your hair, whether it‘s enhancing growth, reducing breakage, or boosting shine, is a positive step. Remember, every small achievement is a victory in your hair care journey.

Stay receptive discovering personalised ingredient mixes and lifestyle integration suited for you through enjoyable experimentation. Identify any internal health factors possibly inhibiting absorption, too.

Finally, embrace the consistency essential for sustained hair improvement. Consistently nurturing your hair and scalp can be a process of self-care and patience. Over time, your efforts will likely yield noticeable improvements, reinforcing the importance of your ongoing commitment to hair health.

If you find that your efforts aren‘t bringing the desired results, please know that The Independent Pharmacy is here to offer compassionate support and guidance. We provide a wide range of products, from shampoos like Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo and Alpecin Double Effect to over-the-counter solutions like Regaine for Women. And if your condition suggests that you need something stronger, you can explore treatments like Finasteride, which are available on prescription. All you need to do to get started is to fill in your self-assessment, and our caring team will get in touch with a range of products suitable for your situation.

And if you need more guidance, you can always contact us here:

Reach out today and gain a valuable partner for your hair growth journey!

FAQs

What should I consume for hair loss?

Consume more vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, zinc and protein. These nutrients feed hair follicles to counter loss related to shortages. Drinks that help build collagen, a key protein for hair, are very beneficial. It‘s also important to manage inflammation in the body to ensure these nutrients are effectively absorbed.

What helps extreme hair loss?

With extreme hair loss, determine and treat the root causes first so hair can grow well again. If you‘re experiencing severe hair loss, it‘s a good idea to get medical tests to check for issues like hormonal imbalances, high stress levels, or autoimmune disorders, all of which can affect hair growth. Correct these barriers, then use topical/oral loss treatments under the doctor‘s guidance to stimulate regrowth.

Can thin hair become thick again?

Yes, thin hair can absolutely regain thickness. Supply consistent scalp nourishment over time using vitamin supplements, nutrient-dense drinks, and follicle-stimulating applications. Removing absorption barriers is key so thinning hair returns to optimal health.

Why am I losing so much hair?

Check for vitamin/mineral deficiency and toxicity if losing lots of hair. Excessive hair shedding can indicate underlying problems. If your body lacks essential nutrients, your hair follicles may not get the nourishment they need, leading to hair loss. Detox to reduce internal interference so externally added regimens thrive better, reviving growth cycles.

Source:

Vitamins and minerals - Vitamin C - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Vitamins and minerals - Vitamin A - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Diet and hair loss: effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use - PMC (nih.gov)

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Scott McDougall

Authored by

Scott McDougall
Scott McDougall
MPharm
2079324
Director & Registered Manager

Scott is one of the two founders of The Independent Pharmacy. He is a registered pharmacist and the registered manager of our service with the CQC.

Daniel Hurley

Reviewed by

Daniel Hurley
Daniel Hurley
MPharm IP
2078790
Pharmacist Independent Prescriber

Dan is an experienced pharmacist having spent time working in both primary and secondary care. He currently supports our clinical team by providing robust clinical governance review of our internal processes and information.