5 foods to help prevent gray hair

Best of all, these foods are delicious and readily available, and provide a wide range of vitamins and minerals to keep your body functioning properly, so you can eat as much as you like.

Here are the top 5 foods that can protect your hair from turning gray.

Tangerine

Yes, this delicious citrus fruit has many benefits. Oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is important for the development of collagen protein, the connective tissue that makes up much of the body, including hair. So use oranges in desserts or in dishes.

Fermented foods

Probiotics aren’t just great for your digestive system, they’re great for your hair, too. Fermented foods like kimchi or sauerkraut provide probiotics to support gut health. And a healthy gut is important for hair health, as gut bacteria actually produce the B vitamin biotin.

Biotin deficiency leads to changes in hair color and health, such as making them brittle and more prone to breakage, so getting enough of this nutrient from your diet can keep your hair black longer.

Salmon

Salmon provides a good amount of vitamin D, which is linked to hair pigmentation. For people with vitamin D deficiency who experience premature graying, D-3 supplements may help, but getting it through a diet of fatty fish like salmon means you’re also getting plenty of other nutrients to support hair and skin, such as omega-3s and protein. It’s a win-win.

Egg

While egg whites are high in protein, you'll want to eat the whole egg—yolk included—if you want to reap the hair-health benefits. Whole eggs provide vitamin B12 (a nutrient you can't get from plant foods). A 2016 study found that people with premature graying were more likely to have low vitamin B12 status. Snack on hard-boiled eggs or make them a hearty, nutritious breakfast. If you're vegan, consider taking a vitamin B12 supplement.

Dark chocolate

Dark chocolate is a good source of both iron and copper, two nutrients important for preventing gray hair and aging. Low ferritin (the store of iron in the blood) has been linked to premature graying in one study, and while copper deficiency is rare, this nutrient is partly responsible for melanin production.

Since aging often comes with low melanin levels, keeping copper levels high can help combat this process. Enjoy a few squares of chocolate and your hair will thank you!