It’s the start of a new year and Veganuary is back. Last year, 629,000 people signed up, and with the campaign celebrating its tenth year, a new person is signing up every 2.4 seconds – which could make it the most successful year yet.

Multiple studies have found that, if done right, a vegan diet has numerous health benefits, including lowered risk of heart disease, weight loss, and reduced blood sugar levels and cholesterol.

So, what can it do for your hair health?

Hair Expert Nicole Petty at Milk + Blush details the benefits various plant-based foods have on your locks.

Leafy greens

Leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, swiss chard and cabbage, are fantastic all-rounders for your health and hair. These superfoods promote hair and scalp health thanks to their abundance of folates, iron, vitamin C and vitamin A.

Nuts and Seeds

Introducing nuts and seeds into your lunches can help turbo-charge your levels of vitamin E – which can boost hair growth.

Avocados

One for brunch lovers, avocado is packed full of omega 3’s, 6’s, and 9’s and healthy fatty acids that can boost hair growth and follicle health. Also present is Vitamin E – a strong antioxidant designed to increase hair health.

Pumpkin

Halloween might have been and gone but adding pumpkin into your diet is anything but spooky. It is low-calorie and low in fat, rich in iron, vitamin C, E and beta-carotene and great for strengthening and growing hair.

Cucumber

Full of vitamins and minerals such as vitamins K and A, Potassium, Sulphur, Zinc, Manganese and Pantothenic acid, cucumber helps with hair regeneration, scalp health, dryness, dandruff, strength and overall shine.

Amla fruit

To prevent greying, boost volume, reduce dandruff, frizz and strengthen or thicken hair, stock up on some rare amla fruit.

Otherwise known as ‘Indian gooseberry’, the fruit has been known to be one of the most nourishing foods for the hair, with tons of benefits, thanks to its high vitamin and moisture content, as well as antioxidant and anti-microbial properties.

Tofu and soy products

One mistake many people make when going vegan is not replacing essential proteins.

Tofu and soy products, such as tempeh, are full of protein that helps new hair grow. They also contain amino acids that contribute towards the production of collagen – which maintains blood vessel health and promotes blood circulation to the scalp and hair follicles.

Pulses

Rich in vitamins, iron, zinc and folate, pulses are a great way to boost scalp health, promote hair growth, strengthen locks and keep them shiny.

Sweet potato

Containing iron, copper, potassium, magnesium and beta-carotene – sweet potato is a healthy carb that’s great for aiding cell growth and renewal, preventing hair shedding and strengthening your immune system.

And don’t forget…

To ensure your hair stays healthy while on a vegan diet, you must implement a balanced diet filled with vitamin B12, maintain adequate vitamin D and consume foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, zinc, iodine and biotin.

Additionally, take good care of your locks. While going fully vegan might mean ditching some of your beloved products, you can create natural hair masks from natural substances such as rosemary, honey, coconut oil and avocado.
And an often-overlooked part of hair and scalp care is exercise. Regular exercise stimulates cell growth by opening up blood vessels and increasing blood flow, allowing your hair follicles and the surrounding dermis layer to receive more of the nutrients you take in from a diet.