SUPERFOODS THAT CAN HELP WITH DANDRUFF

Superfoods are taking the world by storm. But what are they? And can you use them for your dandruff?

With the global shift to organic and holistic living, superfoods have picked up in popularity. They are foods that are supposed to be high in nutrients and low in calories, an ideal scenario for most health-conscious people. There are also claims that it can help you access deeper levels of your consciousness and promote self-healing.

But the sad truth is that there’s no such official classification of ‘superfoods’. It’s a marketing term that was created to refer to foods that have high nutritional benefits and is now even found in the dictionary.

The simplest way to think about this category is to refer to those foods that are extremely healthy, packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fatty acids. Bananas were the first to be labelled as a superfood, although it was done for marketing reasons again.

This shouldn’t dissuade you from eating these foods, as they are still nutritious. They just don’t have any superpowers to instantly get rid of your troubles. This includes berries, leafy greens, salmon, egg , green tea, soy, nuts, legumes, whole grains, olive oil, garlic, avocado, dark chocolate, turmeric, and wheatgrass.

The list is long, but it all depends on what benefit you want from it. If you’re looking for superfoods rich in vitamins and omega 3 for dandruff, there just might be some options available. But using superfoods and vitamin for dandruff also depends on how your body responds.

What is dandruff?

Using superfoods for dandruff

Dandruff is a scalp condition that is characterised by severe itching, redness, and white-yellow flakes of dead skin cells. The cause of dandruff is a fungus called Malassezia Globosa , that is naturally occurring on your scalp. If for some reason your scalp starts producing excessive amounts of sebum or oil, this fungus becomes hyperactive. It breaks down the oil into by-products that you might be sensitive towards. 1 in 2 people across the world react to this and break into hair dandruff.

Your oil production can vary based on hormonal changes, weather fluctuations and even stress. If you want to figure out how to get rid of dandruff, you need to go after the sources of dandruff. Many people think that dry scalp and dandruff are the same, using oils with vitamin for dry scalp. But this might be making your condition worse.

It is always important to eat healthy food but if you’re looking for a superfood that can work on your dandruff, you need to investigate each food’s constituents. Like zinc and omega 3 for dandruff have shown to be effective in controlling sebum production on your scalp. But that might come from eating it or from applying it to your scalp.

• Banana –

  Since this is the original superfood, we might as well start here. Banana contains silica that is used to synthesize collagen and help strengthen your hair. It is rich in catechins, which are antioxidants, that fight free radicals in your body to prevent cell damage and reduce the chances of premature aging. Bananas have strong anti-microbial properties and can moisturise at the same time. You can eat them for a healthier system but using a banana for dandruff is generally topical. You can create a hair mask from banana and honey which calms down an itchy scalp. A combination of banana with curd, eggs or even coconut oil can also help to reduce your dandruff troubles.

• Eggs -

  These are rich in vitamins, fat, proteins, and essential amino acids. Eggs have been used to reinforce hair strands and help with volume, but it is also handy with dandruff. It makes use of biotin for dandruff, by combining with any zinc to clear your scalp. Eggs can break up any greasiness on your scalp and its enzymes get to work on the bacteria. You can create a hair mask with eggs, by adding either lemon, coconut oil, honey or apple cider vinegar. Eating fortified eggs can also help as it contains omega 3 for dandruff.

• Apple Cider Vinegar -

  This acidic item is found in many kitchens, being used for salad dressings and marinades. It is made by fermenting apples and allowing bacteria to make acetic acid, the main ingredient. Consuming apple cider vinegar helps in controlling blood sugar and even promotes weight loss. It is said to have strong anti-fungal properties, which makes it a widely used dandruff cure. Applying apple cider vinegar can help reduce inflammation, balance the pH levels of your scalp, and make use of its vitamin for dandruff. You can directly apply a diluted amount of apple cider vinegar to your hair and scalp.

• Garlic -

  This is one of the most commonly used foods in the Indian subcontinent, but its various benefits are often overlooked. It is rich in Vitamin C, Selenium and antioxidants, with strong anti-inflammatory properties that make it useful in calming down an irritated scalp. Eating garlic can boost blood circulation in your system, which brings nutrients to your scalp. When you crush garlic, a compound called Allicin is activated. This has strong anti-fungal properties that make it useful against dandruff. You can include garlic into your diet or create a garlic infused oil to apply to your head. You can also create hair masks from honey, jojoba oil, aloe vera or lemon juice.

• Ginger -

  This is another staple found in your pantry and contains various characteristics that can help with dandruff. It acts as a pain reliever, has an anti-fungal effect, and is rich in bioactive compounds called Gingerols that can reduce inflammation. You should add ginger to your diet, but you can also apply it directly to your scalp. Boil ginger in water, strain it, apply it onto your head as a cleanser, and shampoo after. You can also use ginger extracts with a carrier oil like olive oil.

• Wheat germ -

  This is the small nutrition-packed centre of the wheat kernel, which contains vitamins, fatty acids and antioxidants. It is rich in zinc and vitamin B6, which can boost blood circulation and fortify your immune system. The combination of zinc and biotins can reduce any dandruff flareups and control sebum production on your scalp. Wheat germ oil also contains omega 3 for dandruff. You can add wheat germ to your breakfast cereal and consume it. Or you can use wheat germ oil and combine it with neem. This can get rid of any dandruff causing fungus and clear oil build-up from your scalp.

It is always important to create a healthy and balanced diet, but you should not believe that superfoods can solve all your problems. They can push you in the right direction, but it might take a lot longer to reach your goal of having no dandruff.

Overdoing any particular superfood can be terrible for your body and have unintended health consequences. Also, everybody reacts to different foods in different ways, so always be careful that it isn’t making your dandruff condition worse.

When you’re in a rush and can’t wait for the superfood to stop your itching, try the Head and Shoulders Neem which can cleanse your scalp and prevent the flakes from coming back. If you need a product that gets rid of dandruff and moisturises damaged strands, use the Head and Shoulders 2in1 Smooth and Silky shampoo and conditioner in one. Superfoods are healthy and nutritious ingredients to add to your plate, but they might not be the answer for your head.