We know carrots are good for our eyes and skin, but did you know that this beta carotene-rich veggie is also beneficial to hair health? Packed with nutrients and vitamins A and C, it nourishes your tresses, improves scalp circulation and promotes healthier growth.

Try this recipe: Spiced Chicken With Braised Baby Carrots

Yes, the humble bowl of breakfast cereal is actually a hair growth booster, but make sure you choose whole grain, or better still, an iron-fortified version. Iron supplies oxygen to your hair follicles and this is key in maintaining your hair’s thickness and lustre.

Loading up on protein benefits not only your body, but also your locks. Choose poultry like chicken breast or turkey meat to help your hair strengthen its shaft, so you reduce the chances of split ends on your hair and also hair fall and thinning.

Try this: Chinese Honey Chicken

This spice makes a nice dessert and drink complement, and can also help by improving your hair’s circulation, pumping your follicles with more nutrients and oxygen to promote a healthy sheen.

Do you notice that your hair breaks easily? Then it’s more vitamin C you need in your diet, and this fruit has four times more vitamin C than an orange. Plus, it’s full of fibre, folic acid, potassium and antioxidants. Eat the fruit by itself, or load up on guava leaf tea which has a myriad of benefits as well.

A great choice for protein intake, especially if you are a vegetarian, is this fibre-rich and protein-packed food. Lentils also provide iron, zinc and biotin, all of which are crucial to aid good circulation and healthy hair growth.

Not just a powerful aphrodisiac and a delicious treat, oysters are also an excellent source of zinc. A steady intake of zinc is especially important if you suffer from hair loss, as zinc deficiency is a key cause of hair loss. So go ahead and indulge in oysters from time to time.

Almost all types of nuts are a boost to hair health as they provide vitamin E, selenium and omega-3 to bring shine and vitality to your tresses. Pistachios in particular are nutrient-dense and contain fatty acids to bolster the strength of hair follicles. They are also rich in biotin, which helps prevent hair loss.

Fatty fish like salmon are rich in omega-3, and a great source of protein and B vitamins. If your hair suffers from dryness and brittleness, then it’s time to take more salmon to reap its benefits.

Try this delicious salmon recipe.

Rich in vitamins C, B5 and B6, plus folic acid and ellagic acid, this sweet berry helps you combat hair thinning. They also promote silkier and shinier hair; some people add them to home remedies in hair masks or conditioners with great results.