The Foods To Eat This Summer For Shiny Hair Gallery

Summer has arrived. And not only are the days longer, but the sun shines into the evening, the weather is warm and pleasant, and you're already dreaming of your island vacation. You feel great and you look great — and you want your hair to look great, too. Posing for photos on the beach, you want your hair to shine brightly under the sun!

Even if you typically have dry hair that's prone to split ends, that's not too much to ask. Your diet can actually make a difference in the sheen and length of your hair. In general, the more nutrients you eat, the healthier your hair, skin, nails, and really entire body will be.

But there are a few key vitamins and minerals that nourish your hair from the source. While supplements can provide some of them, you really need food and nourishment to get everything you need.

Vitamin A is key for hair growth and the promotion of natural oil secretion on your scalp. B-vitamins — especially biotin — are crucial components of a diet that enables a healthy head of hair. Vitamin C, vitamin E, iron, and zinc all play integral roles in the health of your scalp and follicles. And, not surprisingly, protein is necessary to keep your hair growing at its usual clip with the desired amount of strength. Preventing split ends and dull locks of hair is as simple as getting proper nutrition — these foods can help you get there.

Without healthy fats, your hair is going to struggle to keep its sheen. Chia seeds contain lots of the healthy fats you need. Not sure how to use that expensive and giant bag of chia seeds? Make chia pudding, stir some in your smoothie, or sprinkle them on your fruit. You can also cook with them — here are some recipes to get you started.

Have you ever heard of collagen? The innovative protein powder is increasingly popular in the wellness world due to its many health benefits. It's a powerful protein that works to strengthen your hair, nails, and skin. You can put the powder in a smoothie, pour it in your latte, or even bake with it. It's tasteless, so the sky's the limit with this health elixir.

If you're choosing between regular and Greek yogurt for breakfast, you might want to opt for Greek. It has way more protein, which can help support hair growth. Plus, it has a significant amount of vitamin B5 to boost blood flow and increase the likelihood your hair will grow faster as a result.

If you needed another reason to eat more salad, here it is. Greens are great for your luscious locks. They have iron, which stimulates blood flow to the scalp, alongside vitamins A, C, E, and K. The more vitamins you consume, the healthier your hair will be. Just make sure it's dark, leafy greens — romaine (which might give you food poisoning anyway) is mostly just water.

Oysters have bountiful stores of zinc; just make sure you know the right way to pick them. They're also one of the foods most likely to give you food poisoning. But a lack of zinc can result in major hair loss.

They're known for being the "healthier" potato — but regular potatoes are actually pretty healthy, too! However, there is one thing white potatoes are missing. They lack in beta-carotene, a vitamin that stimulates the scalp to produce oils that keep hair bright and shiny. The more sweet potatoes you eat, the less dry, brittle hair you're likely to have.

When you eat walnuts, you're killing two birds with one stone — not only are you getting healthy fats, you're also getting protein. Your hair thrives best when you're stocked up on both. Make your own trail mixes infused with walnuts or bake them into a dessert. Doesn't matter how you eat them, you'll still get the benefits!