Many people desire a thick mane because it enhances their overall look and boosts their confidence.
Hair growth can be enhanced by using natural ingredients on the hair, avoiding hot styling tools, avoiding pollution and other harmful environmental factors, and eating healthy food including fresh fruits, among many other practices.
Hair growth is a complex process with never-ending hair fiber production (1) in the body.
Hair grows in cycles. Every hair follicle produces hair; this phase is called the anagen phase and can last for several years. Then, the follicle becomes inactive for 3 months, and soon after stem cells inside the follicle regenerate a new hair bulb.
The average length of hair growth is one centimeter a month, and the duration of the growth phase determines the size of the hair. (2)
As food plays a vital role in hair growth, this article will list some fruits that are helpful for hair growth:
Article Contents
Fruits for Hair Growth
Include these fruits in your diet and make hair masks with them if you want to improve your hair growth.
1. Bananas
Bananas are rich in potassium, natural fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, etc. They are scientifically proven to contribute to the increase in hair follicle length. (1) They are not expensive and readily available and are suitable for your hair and scalp.
Eating bananas or applying them as a mask to your scalp and hair can increase the strength, endurance, and shine of your hair. (3)
How to use:
- Mash two bananas in a bowl.
- Add 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and mix them well.
- Apply the mask to your hair and wash it off after 15 minutes.
- Repeat this remedy once a week for glossy and thick hair.
2. Gooseberry (amla)
Gooseberry, or amla, is a popular part of the hair care regimen of many people as it is rich in vitamin C and polyphenols and promotes hair growth. (4)(5)
How to use:
- You can consume gooseberry daily to get great and healthy hair.
- Take a few drops of amla oil in your palms. Apply it to your scalp and hair and rub it in circular motions for 5–10 minutes. Leave it on for 1 hour. Wash it off with a natural shampoo and conditioner.
3. Papaya
Papaya is a readily available fruit that benefits the entire body, including the hair. It is a storehouse of vitamins such as vitamins A, B, and C and minerals such as calcium and iron. It is also rich in vitamin A, which helps maintain hair health and the various body processes.
A medium-sized papaya contains over twice the recommended daily intake amount of vitamin C and helps synthesize collagen, the hair’s basic structure. The antioxidants in papaya help in the naturalization of free radicals. (6)
How to use:
- Add 1⁄3 cup of ripe papaya pulp to 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in a bowl.
- Stir the mixture well till smooth.
- Apply the paste to your hair and scalp.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes before washing it off with water.
- Use a natural shampoo and conditioner to wash your hair.
4. Grapes
Grapes are a healthy fruit with a lot of health advantages. Grapeseed extract is taken from the seeds of red wine grapes and is rich in antioxidants that can treat several ailments in the body, including cardiovascular problems and hair loss. (7)
Grapeseed oil is a fantastic choice as a hair oil as it is rich in vitamin E, flavonoids, linoleic acid, and OPCs, all of which are needed for good hair growth.
How to use:
- Consume grapes daily.
- Using a dropper, apply a few drops of grapeseed oil directly to your scalp. Massage it into your scalp and hair for 10 minutes. Wash off with water after 1 hour. Repeat the process twice a week for good results.
5. Pomegranate
Using pomegranates on your scalp and hair can promote hair growth, stimulate the hair follicles, and keep the scalp clean and healthy.
Pomegranates are easily sourced and are abundant in tannins, flavonoids, polyphenols, and anthocyanins, which are potent antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, and antimicrobial properties.
Pomegranates are helpful for hair growth, and they also prevent dandruff activity on your scalp. (8)
How to use:
- Consume pomegranates.
- Combine 2 tablespoons of fresh pomegranate juice, a few drops of lavender essential oil, and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Store the mixture in a spray bottle and spray it onto your scalp and hair. Leave it on for 30 minutes, and then wash it off with water.
6. Avocado
Avocado is a fatty fruit rich in protein and minerals including iron, magnesium, potassium, and copper. It is also abundant in vitamins including folate and vitamins A, E, K, and B6 (biotin), which play significant roles in hair growth.
Avocado oil contains potassium and magnesium, which seals cuticle cells and helps the hair look smooth and shiny. The high amount of fats in avocado helps nourish and soften the hair. (9)
How to use:
- Consume avocado.
- Combine one mashed ripe avocado and 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Apply this paste to your scalp and hair, and leave it on for 1 hour. Wash it off with water. Shampoo and condition your hair.
7. Acerola cherry
Acerola cherry (Malpighia emarginata DC.), which grows in South Texas, Mexico, and Central America, has been available lately in India. It is one of the world’s richest sources of ascorbic acid. (10)
A 2012 study found that a product called Viviscal, which contains vitamin C from acerola cherry along with other ingredients, was effective in promoting hair growth, but more research is needed on this topic. (11)
How to use:
- Add 1 teaspoon of acerola cherry powder to some water to make a thin solution.
- Add this to your shampoo, and apply it to your hair and scalp when taking a shower.
- Gently massage it on your scalp and hair for 2-3 minutes.
- Wash it off with water.
- Use a natural conditioner to nourish your hair.
General Queries Related to Fruits for Hair Growth
Is biotin good for hair?
Vitamin B6, or biotin, has been scientifically proven to help in hair regrowth. It builds up the keratin protein in the hair and nourishes and strengthens the hair follicles. (12)
What kind of fruits help in reducing hair fall?
All fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals, but those rich in vitamin C are essential for the hair. Vitamin C helps boost collagen production and promote hair regrowth while reducing the formation of DHT and nourishing the hair follicles. (13)
Final Word
Nature has blessed humanity with an abundance of fresh fruits that are rich in vitamins and minerals essential for proper body functioning and good hair growth.
Make it a habit to consume or apply fruits regularly to your skin to benefit from the abundant nutrients and fatty acids. You can use fruits to prepare hair masks and oils as described above to grow healthy hair naturally.
References
- Evaluation of hair growth promoting activity of Musa paradisiaca unripe … https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272895983/.
- Hair. Hair – Better Health Channel. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/hair.
- Traditional and Medicinal Uses of Banana. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. https://www.phytojournal.com/archives/2012/vol1issue3/PartA/9.1.pdf.
- JJ; BMSD. Amla (Emblica officinalis gaertn), a wonder berry in the treatment and prevention of cancer. European journal of cancer prevention: the official journal of the European Cancer Prevention Organisation (ECP). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21317655/.
- Emblica (Phyllanthus emblica Linn.) fruit extract promotes … https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270950892/.
- Singh SP, Kumar S, Mathan SV, et al. Therapeutic application of Carica papaya leaf extract in the management of human diseases. Daru: journal of Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7704890/. Published December 2020.
- Kazemi M, Taghavi M-M, Shabanizadeh A, Taghipour Z, Kaeidi A, Shariati-Kohbanani M. Investigation of grape SAP on wingless/integrated and β-catenin genes expression with histological factors on the hair follicle in rat. Research in pharmaceutical sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7714015/. Published August 28, 2020.
- Bhinge SD, Bhutkar MA, Randive DS, et al. Screening of hair growth promoting activity of punica granatum L. (pomegranate) leaves extracts and its potential to exhibit antidandruff and anti-lice effect. Heliyon. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8100084/. Published April 27, 2021.
- Comerford KB, Ayoob KT, Murray RD, Atkinson SA. The role of avocados in Complementary and Transitional Feeding. Nutrients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4882728/. Published May 21, 2016.
- Prakash A, Baskaran R. Acerola, an untapped functional superfruit: A review on Latest Frontiers. Journal of food science and technology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6098779/. Published September 2018.
- Glynis A. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy of an oral supplement in women with self-perceived thinning hair. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3509882/. Published November 2012.
- Patel DP, Swink SM, Castelo-Soccio L. A review of the use of biotin for hair loss. Skin appendage disorders. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5582478/. Published August 2017.
- The role of vitamins and minerals in hair loss: A review – researchgate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329628006/.