Eat These Foods If You Want To Prevent Gray Hair

Gray hair is a part of aging that plagues many people — even from a young age. While you can't really do much about hair that is already changed over to gray (other than dyeing it), there are some ways you can try to prevent your hair from graying.

Nutritional deficiencies are one way premature hair graying can occur, as well as high stress and smoking, according to Healthline. You want to make sure you are getting enough calcium, copper, iron, protein, vitamins B and D, as well as zinc.

You can take supplements to get more nutrients, but working in some of these foods can help prevent your hair from turning gray and be enjoyable to eat!

According to Cooking Light, citrus fruits like tangerine can provide a vitamin C boost needed for collagen production — a necessity for hair. Citrus can also be a good source of folic acid, which also plays a part in colorful hair (via Livestrong).

Fermented foods like kimchi are good for gut health — and a healthy gut also equals a healthy head of hair. The gut produces vitamin B7, or biotin, that keeps your hair strong and healthy (via Cooking Light). Eggs are also a good source of vitamin B12 — and one study even found that a B12 deficiency led to premature graying.

Other foods that are recommended to try are protein-heavy lentils, dark chocolate for a boost in iron and copper, salmon for vitamin D and omega-3s, and dark, leafy greens.

It is also important to note that gray hair is largely genetic — so if your family members dealt with premature gray hair, it is likely you also will (via Healthline). There may not be a quick fix with food consumption, supplements or herbal remedies, so hair dye may be the best option. 

As always, it is best to consult with your doctor if you have any concerns about premature hair graying and want information about how dietary changes can help.