6 Summer Foods to Make Your Hair Shine

During the summer months, if left to my own devices, I would eat one thing and one thing only: watermelon. As the days get stickier and more languorous, I crave watermelon and feta salad, watermelon granita, watermelon gazpacho and, well, you get the idea. Luckily, watermelon isn’t just a dreamy-sweet and hydrating super fruit...it also happens to do wonders for your hair. If you’ve ever been curious how seasonal foods can impact your mane’s lustre, growth, and overall health, you’ve come to the right place. No matter where you’re located on the map, it’s likely at least one or more of these crowd-pleasing ingredients are available and at peak deliciousness. So grab your market basket and come along:

As if taking its cue from weekend beaches, the produce aisle during the summer months transforms into a colorful, loud, action-packed place. Squash lounge in luxurious rows as if ready to crack open a page turner, berries sport the latest punchy hues, and heirloom stone fruit make a sun-kissed appearance. Luckily, all of this bounty isn’t just for show...it also happens to do wonders for your hair. If you’ve ever been curious how seasonal foods can impact your mane’s lustre, growth, and overall health, you’ve come to the right place. No matter where you’re located on the map, it’s likely at least one or more of these crowd-pleasing ingredients are available and at peak deliciousness. So grab your market basket and come along

You’ve probably heard it before, but we’ll sprout, er, shout it from the rooftops: chia seeds are where it’s at. The good fat, that is. Gram for gram, they contain more omega-3s than salmon. Without these healthy fats, your hair can struggle to keep its shine and may look dull and lackluster. They also happen to be jam-packed with antioxidants and protein, too, both of which boost immunity by reinforcing the cells that fight free radicals. Have you tried them in a pudding topped with fruit and coconut? Heavenly.

One thing I miss most about living in a rural area is the roadside fruit stands. Few things taste as mind-blowingly delectable as a just-picked strawberry. Luckily, farmers markets and organic grocery stores carry lots of local berries, ripe for the taking. Beyond their tart-sweet appeal, they also happen to be rich in Vitamin C and help support the body’s production of collagen which is vital for hair growth. (Pro tip: Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron, so try pairing your strawberries with spinach in a salad to get the most bang for your buck.) 

Although watermelon is made up mostly of, well, water, it also manages to pack in an impressive amount of nutrients. Just one cup holds 17% of the daily-recommended Vitamin A intake and 21% of the same for Vitamin C. Playing a key role in keeping the scalp healthy and flake-free, Vitamin A also promotes collagen cells to keep your hair glossy and strong. And that’s just the beginning. This super melon also contains: thiamin, vitamin B-6, magnesium, pantothenic acid, potassium, zinc, selenium, choline, niacin, and riboflavin. Because it’s 92% water, it also does double duty keeping you hydrated and steering you clear of brittle, dry strands. Win-win. 

We’ll keep this one short and sweet because we’ve got a hunch you already know this one (thanks, Popeye). Iron-rich leafy greens like spinach allow red blood cells to carry oxygen to hair follicles and keep the healthy hair growth phases in action. Paired with strawberries like we mentioned above? A real power couple. 

Caprese salad anyone? Rich in lycopene, beta-carotene, and Vitamin C, tomatoes are like the beefeater (beefsteak?) guards that defend against skin and hair damage. Better yet, cooking them releases more lycopene than raw tomatoes contain, so go wild plucking them from your garden or snag some at the market and make a batch of marinara.  

Violet, you’re turning violet! (Had to). Not only are blueberries great for your hair, they also prevent oxidative stress on the body that potentially leads to aging, heart disease, and other illnesses. Add frozen blueberries to your favorite smoothie, sprinkle some in your salad for a burst of sweetness, or eat them by the handful because they’re in their summer-y prime. Next stop? Strong, lustrous hair.