Let’s get one thing clear – we’re not asking you to stop shampooing or conditioning your hair. Neither are we asking you to stop indulging in DIY masks. But what gets ingested in the body has a greater chance of effectiveness, than something that is applied topically, agreed? Hence, we decided to come up with a list of nutrient-rich foods that you can consume in your regular diet. So read on, take a pick and stick to it – and your hair would turn gorgeous in a bit! Almost.

Adding seeds to your diet will help you get the vital nutrients you need all while consuming few calories. Seeds contain vitamin E, zinc and selenium, which are all beneficial for the hair. It helps to make your tresses shiny, healthy and even promotes hair growth. 28 grams of sunflower seeds contain almost 50% of your daily vitamin E and B requirements.Consume flaxseeds and chia seeds if you need an extra dose of omega-3 fatty acids. There are various ways you can consume these seeds. You can have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

One of the best food sources of zinc is oysters. The mineral helps to repair damaged hair and helps it grow in a healthy way. Telogen effluvium is a common form of hair loss due to lack of nutrients. However, it is reversible. Consume zinc in order to rectify this problem. Fresh oysters may not be available to you all the time, so you can opt to take supplements or other foods with high amounts of zinc.

Shrimp contains vital nutrients your hair needs to grow in a healthy way. The popular shellfish is a rich source of vitamins D, B, protein, zinc and iron. Researchers have found vitamin D3 deficiency has an association with hair loss. By consuming shrimp, you can get at least 38% of your daily vitamin D requirements. It is also low in fat and contains omega-3 fatty acids that help to promote hair growth.

Sweet peppers are rich in vitamin C, which is beneficial for promoting hair growth. One pepper contains almost five times more vitamin C than an orange. So you'll want to get as much as you can of it in order to get long luscious hair.The benefits of vitamin C for your hair is that it helps produce collagen in the body, which makes your hair stronger. It is also high in vitamin A, which helps maintain the health of your hair.

Protein intake is vital if you want your hair to grow well. The best way to get a good amount of protein is through a plant-based source like beans. It also contains zinc, which helps repair damaged hair. What's more, it is an affordable product you can consume on a regular basis.

Compounds in soybeans, particularly spermidine, have been found to promote hair growth. Previous research has found spermidine helps extend the duration of the anagen phase. Your hair will grow longer when hair follicle stays in the anagen phase for a long time.

Eggs happen to be a great source of protein and biotin which are both nutrients that can aid hair growth. And since hair follicles are mostly made up of proteins, eating the right amount of proteins is a must for good hair. Eggs also happen to be rich in zinc, selenium and other hair-healthy nutrients. So make sure that you eat at least one egg every day.

Well, turns out your mum was right about you needing those leafy green vegetables for a good diet. Spinach is loaded with beneficial nutrients like folate, iron, and vitamins A and C which all promote hair growth. It contains oily substances that can help moisturise your hair, plus spinach also happens to be rich in iron which can work wonders for hair growth.

Apart from being super yummy in taste, sweet potatoes are also rich in beta-carotene which gets converted into Vitamin A when ingested by the body. And Vitamin A as we all know is optimal for good hair. It promotes the production of sebum which can help maintain your hair and keep it healthy. What's more is that it can even speed up the process of hair growth while preventing hair follicles from regressing.