Oysters a hair superfood as they’re rich in protein, iron, zinc, and other hair healthy nutrients, not to mention a sustainable food source.
Fun fact: You can recycle their shells to help grow new oysters!
In addition to the nutrients, oysters can help stimulate hair growth by activating hair follicles into the anagen stage of the hair cycle (the first stage where the follicle grows the hair strand). They also protect your hair follicles by boosting blood circulation and oxygenation.
Depending on where the oyster calls home, the exact nutritional value can vary slightly, like the difference between pacific oysters having 8 grams of protein versus eastern oysters with 4.8 grams per 3oz serving.
In addition to being packed with protein, which is what your body breaks down into individual amino acids that is then weaves together into your hair strands, oysters are a great source of these other nutrients:
- Zinc
- Vitamin B12
- Selenium
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids
- Iron
Zinc helps protect hair against chemicals and pollutants in the air as it is a powerful antioxidant. Zinc also plays a central role in helping your body produce individual cells, like the keratin cells your hair is made of.
According to this study a vitamin B12 deficiency has been linked to hair loss, so feel free to get some extra oysters at happy hour, but don’t get too many because this study shows that while selenium has also been shown to help fight off hair loss, too much of it can lead to brittle hair and easily broken strands or split ends.
Omega 3 fatty acids are another important antioxidant that helps stave off hair loss, and oysters are one of the few foods that have all 3 major omega 3s: ALA, DHA, and EPA.
Oysters are also high in iron, which your body uses to make hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body, and crucially, to your hair follicles. Without iron, your hair follicles won’t get enough oxygen and will stop working, causing hair loss.
Fun fact: Oyster gray was one of the hottest hair color trends of 2022 combining platinum blond with silver tones creating a stunning color.
And this is why oysters are a hair superfood that can help maintain hair growth while protecting your hair with their powerful mix of antioxidants. Did you like this article? Subscribe to the TELETIMES blog for more just like it.
