Going vegan is one of the kindest things that you can do for the planet and for yourself.
Eating a plant-based diet emits less greenhouse gases compared to consuming meat and dairy products. Raising and transporting cattle, which becomes beef, requires a lot of resources, and generates methane.
Veganism is also considered a healthy option because it contains more fiber and less cholesterol compared to meals that primarily have meat. One study involving around 48,000 people found that vegans have a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.
However, can veganism make you go bald?
Nourishment that Your Hair Needs
Using the right shampoo and conditioner can improve the state of your hair. If you have the cash, go right ahead and invest in luxury haircare which has ingredients that will give you soft, shiny, and healthy hair.
However, not all hair complaints can be solved by applying a hair mask or hair spray. What you put inside your body affects your appearance, and that includes your hair.
For gorgeous-looking locks, experts recommend eating food that is rich in certain vitamins and minerals. One particular nutrient that is necessary for the healthy growth of hair is biotin which people often get from eating eggs and organ meats.
Iron, which most people get from eating meat, is needed for hair growth. People who have deficiency may end up losing their hair because their body cannot produce enough hemoglobin in the blood which is responsible for replenishing oxygen to cells throughout your body.
These are the common arguments that people use against veganism and as a response to the health benefits of going on a plant-based diet.
A Balanced Diet is Key
Vegans can get biotin and iron from sources that are not derived from animal products. Biotin, for example, is also present in legumes, nuts and seeds, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, broccoli, and avocado. Iron, on the other hand, can be found in spinach, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, and tofu.
A person following a plant-based diet only needs to know in which types of food they can get certain vitamins and minerals and how much they need to remain healthy. But, people who eat meat are getting the right dose of biotin, iron, and other nutrients every day.
Those who are not vegan are also prone to experience iron deficiency anemia and the lack of biotin in their systems.
In both cases, vegans and meat-eaters should have variety in their food so that they can get the complete set of nutrients the body requires to function efficiently. Besides, there are supplements readily available to anyone who believes that they are lacking some nutrients.
Instagram-Ready Locks
While there are vegans who are losing hair or have easily breakable hair, it is not likely because of their diet. As was mentioned, being fully informed about your nutritional needs, and then planning meals that will give you all the vitamins and minerals you need, is essential not just for vegans but for everyone else.
The likely culprit of weak hair, as writers of Allure Magazine found out, is the application of heat and chemicals onto one’s locks. Using a flat iron or getting a perm can weaken hair, but going vegan will not.
In fact, some vegans reported improving their hair health after switching their diets to plant-based. After a few months of eating food that does not contain high amounts of saturated fat, their overall appearance was noticeably better.
First, their skin cleared up. It is no secret that many people break out after eating foods that are high in oil content and dairy. Removing that type of food in their diet made their skin calm down.
Their hair also became a lot nicer. It turns out, fruits and vegetables are high in the nutrients that also keep the hair soft, shiny, strong, and healthy. They are getting a lot of vitamin E, antioxidants, folate, and other nutrients that are great for the hair.
Those who are vegan also avoid products that have synthetic chemical ingredients. They veer toward organic ingredients such as coconut oil, sunflower oil, shea butter, etc. Some people found that making this change has improved the look of their hair.
However, do not jump into veganism just yet. It is a major lifestyle shift and, therefore, should be mulled over. It certainly should not be decided because you want nice skin and hair.
You also might want to speak to a doctor before you start restricting yourself from eating certain types of food. Although becoming vegan has its own advantages, there are health conditions that require eating meats and animal products.
