Have grey hair, already? These foods can help prevent premature greying (2024)

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jul 5, 2023 18:56 IST

If you've already noticed some grey strands popping up on your scalp even before hitting 35, you're not alone. Premature greying has become a common problem at a time when there's this unexplainable pressure of upkeep of appearances.

Although premature greying of hair is, in many cases, a hereditary phenomenon, other factors like stress and lifestyle management can act as catalysts.

Nutritionist Nmami Agarwal shared a post on Instagram about nutrients that one should have in their diet to prevent greying of the hair.

She mentioned that stress and lifestyle habits mean to include the lack of certain nutrients that can spur the process.

"Premature greying of hair in youngsters is on the rise. While stress and lifestyle is a lead factor, diet and nutrition also plays a major role. The advent of fast food and instant meals is leaching our meals of essential nutrients and it’s time to bring black back," wrote Nmami Agarwal in the post.

Here are four nutrients that should be added to your diet to have healthy natural-coloured hair.

Folic acid

Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps the body to make healthy new cells. As per the expert, you can include foods like dark leafy vegetables like spinach, fenugreek leaves, mustard greens, methi leaves, cholai etc. in your diet.

You can also increase the consumption of lentils, chickpeas, beans and peas. Seeds and nuts like almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are rich in folic acid. Certain fruits like oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes are rich sources of folic acid as well.

Vitamin B12

The lack of vitamin B12 is one of the most common causes of premature greying. Foods that include this vitamin are egg yolk, dairy products and Shiitake mushrooms.

Zinc

Zinc is an important nutrient that is responsible for protecting your cells and DNA from invaders. This mineral is widely available in seeds like pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and watermelon seeds. Dry fruits like pistachio and almonds also contain zinc. Black grams or kala chana and black sesame seeds are good sources of zinc as well.

Copper

The lack of copper can lead to energy levels in the body and affect the production of new cells. Foods like shellfish, freshwater fish, sesame seeds, cashew nuts, almonds, lean red meats and whole wheat and grains contain copper.