Health benefits of lycopene
Lycopene is a carotenoid with powerful antioxidant properties. It has many health benefits. For instance, high levels of serum lycopene seem to lower the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, sunburn, gingivitis, osteoporosis, cataract, mental disorders, and asthma.[1,2]
Can lycopene prevent hair loss?
Lycopene is good for preventing hair loss, as it’s a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants prevent oxidative stress which can cause hair loss. Especially androgenetic alopecia.[3]
Oxidative stress is caused by high amounts of free radicals.
People experiencing hair loss have excess free radicals in the scalp. Hence, eating foods high in lycopene, along with other antioxidants is beneficial for preventing premature hair loss.
You should eat lots of fruits and vegetables for healthy and thick hair. They’re the richest foods in antioxidants!
Furthermore, antioxidants of foods are better and healthier for preventing hair loss than supplements, as they act synergetically. Even lower doses can be more effective!
Eat foods high in lycopene for healthy & strong hair
We should consume lots of foods high lycopene for preventing hair loss. The best dietary sources of lycopene are all tomato products, watermelon, guava, pink grapefruit, and papaya!
| lycopene (mcg per 100g) | |
| sun-dried tomatoes | 45902 |
| ketchup | 12062 |
| guava | 5204 |
| watermelon | 4532 |
| tomato | 2573 |
| papaya | 1828 |
| grapefruit, pink | 1419 |
Sun-dried tomato is the richest food in lycopene. Certainly, all tomato products are rich in lycopene, as lycopene isn’t vulnerable to heat or processing methods. Hence, fresh tomatoes, tomato juices, and even ketchup may prevent hair loss!
Besides other health benefits, lycopene in tomato may help you lose belly fat easier!
Other vitamins for preventing hair loss
Other vitamins against hair loss are biotin, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E, as they have potent antioxidant actions. Furthermore, carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin can also protect us against hair loss.
Furthermore, combining foods high in vitamin E, vitamin C, and lycopene is even more beneficial for your hair, as these antioxidants have a synergetic antioxidant effect![4]
Moreover, adequate intake of minerals, such as zinc, iron, and selenium is also vital for healthy and thick hair.
Last, but not least, we should eat lots of foods high in omega-3s. Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly beneficial for shinny and strong hair.
Practically, try to consume lots of seeds and nuts for preventing hair loss:
- Brazilian nuts are the best dietary source of selenium.
- Walnuts and flaxseeds are the best sources of omega-3s.
- Hemp seeds and chia seeds are excellent food choices for strong hair, as they’re high in omega-3s, along with iron and zinc!
Above all, you should consume 1-2 tsp of moringa powder a day. It’s a superfood which contains many compounds that protect your hair!
More about preventing hair loss, due to nutritional deficiencies here.