Most people I come across today have hair-related issues. Be it hair fall, dandruff, frizzy hair, lifeless hair, limp hair, lusterless hair, or damaged hair, split ends, scanty hair, and thin hair, the list is endless! Our skin as well as hair require extra time and care as both of these are subjected to harsh chemicals through cleansing agents, pollution, chemically-grown fruits and vegetables, harsh water, stress and tension, improper nutrition, lack of proper sleep, exercise and inadequate intake of water.
Thick healthy hair is possible and there are certain super foods, which, if included in your diet can help you have better health and better hair too!

Try these super foods and see a marked difference in the quality of your hair-


Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc and this helps cellular production, cell division and growth to form keratin, a protein that makes up hair. Zinc is known to preserve the hair colour and can also be found in lentils, sesame seeds, lamb, chickpeas and oysters. Zinc also prevents dandruff, further keeping hair fall at bay.

Avocado
This fruit is excellent for hair growth and thickness as it contains high amounts of copper that builds up collagen and elastin of the skin that holds the hair follicles. The copper content in shell fish, whole grains, dark leafy vegetables like spinach and methi (fenugreek),beans and legumes also helps balance the hormones so the hair grows strong and aids other reactions in the scalp that strengthen lipids in the hair.

Eggs
Eggs promote hair growth and not only make them thicker but stronger as well. Eggs also come loaded with a combination of protein and biotin, both of which are super nutrients for healthy hair.

Fatty Fish
Fish like mackerel, salmon and herring are super foods for the hair as they are abundantly rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon is loaded with vitamin D and protein, which supports strong hair and a healthy scalp.

Berries
High in antioxidants, berries are a superfood for hair. The high antioxidant content helps protect hair follicles from damaging. Strawberries, blueberries, and cranberries; these robust juicy fruits are rich in vitamin C, which aids in collagen production and iron absorption, two factors that promote hair growth.

Sweet Potatoes
A medium-sized sweet potato contains enough beta-carotene to provide more than four times your daily vitamin A needs. Include this easily available vegetable in your daily diet and see the improvement in your hair.

Spinach
It is one of my all time personal favourites and is full of nutrients like vitamin A and C, iron and folate. Being a great plant-based source of iron, it helps red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body and fuels the metabolism to aid growth and repair hair damage. Vitamin A found in these dark leaves helps the skin glands produce sebum, which in turn keeps the hair and scalp moisturised and healthy.

Soybean
The presence of spermidine, a compound that promotes hair growth, makes soybean an absolute essential as a nutritional supplement for active hair growth. Include this in recipes with stews, soups, salads, etc. on a regular basis in your diet to see a marked improvement in hair growth.

Copper Water
Metals and minerals have always had an effect on the body, which is why in olden days people used to eat from utensils made of silver, gold, copper and brass. I have researched and found that water kept in a copper glass overnight and consumed first thing in the morning has benefits on the hair growth and body as it provides the necessary copper content to promote hair growth and strengthen the follicles.

Meat
This is a great source of protein absolutely essential for hair growth. Red meat in particular is a rich source of iron, which helps promote hair growth and should be included in your diet 3-4 times a week.

So it's very clear from the above information that I have provided you that what you eat has a great impact on your hair. Start by seeing what your diet lacks and include these simple ingredients to your recipes.

In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, it is imperative to load up on foods that are rich in vital nutrients. While taking care of our body, we often tend to neglect our nails. There is no denying the fact that our nails can reflect our inner health to a great extent. In order to keep them healthy and strong, it is important to look after them. If you've been suffering from the problem of unhealthy, discoloured or chipped nails, then including a few foods in your daily diet might come to great help. Calcium and B vitamins are essential for healthy nails. Here is a list of 5 foods that may help you get stronger nails.

Fish

To attain healthy and stronger nails, it is important to load up on proteins. A diet rich in protein can prove to be beneficial for one's overall health. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fish is an excellent source of proteins and sulphur. If you happen to have thin and brittle nails, then this one's for you. Since fish has abundant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, it will help in moisturising the nail bed. Apart from this, it can also increase their suppleness.

Eggs

A whole, large egg can provide you with a good dose of vitamin D. Not only is it a great source of protein, but its vitamin B12, iron and biotin content are known to increase fingernail thickness. Include this healthy food in your daily diet and watch out for results.

Green Peas

These tiny delights look small but are packed with a host of health benefiting properties. Green peas are abundantly rich in protein, beta-carotene and vitamin C. This nutrient-rich food helps in strengthening the finger nail and may increase its rate of growth as well.

Oats

For healthy fingernail maintenance, it is imperative to load up on micronutrients as well. Oats are rich in copper, zinc, manganese and B vitamins, which are known to promote healthy fingernail growth.

Green Leafy Vegetables

Loaded with calcium, iron and antioxidants, green leafy vegetables are a powerhouse of nutrients. Adding spinach, kale, broccoli etc. to your daily diet may help you keep brittle nails at bay.

So, if you've successfully given up on the habit of biting your nails and are now on the next step of making them strong and healthy, bring these foods to your rescue and get going!

Do you feel that your skin texture is dry? If even after applying moisturisers and serums you are able to feel the dryness on your skin, then it's time you do something about it. Skin dryness can turn out to be extremely annoying at times as it causes unnecessary itching and dullness. Here we have got some remedies to your rescue! You can now cure your dryness with the help of super-easy butter face masks! These face masks will make your skin supple, glowing and fresh. Butter itself is a rich source of fatty acids and vitamin A which brings a natural glow on your face. Butter face packs have various skin benefits and can be used for all skin types. The vitamin E present in these face masks can keep pigmentation spots at bay. Read on to know more about these face masks.Butter and Banana Face Mask: This face mask combination will bring a natural glow on your face. To make this face mask, you will require 1 ripped banana and 1 teaspoon of unsalted butter. Take a bowl and mash the banana until a thick paste is attained. While mashing the banana, add melted butter or solid butter and mix it well. With the help of a cosmetic brush, apply this face mask all over your face and let it sit for 10 minutes. Once it is done, wash your face with cold water and apply some moisturiser or toner.

Rosewater and Butter Face Mask: This face mask is extremely good for keeping your skin healthy and helps in removal of dead skin cells. You will require 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon of rosewater. Mix these ingredients well until a thick paste is attained. Apply it on your face for about 30 minutes. Rinse it off with lukewarm water later.

Cucumber and Butter Face mask: If you happen to suffer from skin redness, then this face mask will help you get rid of the same. Take half cucumber and make a puree out of it. Then take 2 tablespoon of cucumber juice and add unsalted butter to it. Mix the ingredients well and apply it all over your face for not more than 10 minutes. Later, rinse off with cold water. This face mask will also help you get a clear skin.

All these 3 butter face masks can do wonder for your skin. So try them right away!

Popping a pill for every illness is a common course we take for most lifestyle diseases. We ignore the fact that nature offers some of the best medicines. New studies show that diabetics are at a much higher risk of neo-degenerated diseases, nearly double the risk of cancer and heart disease. It’s time now we look at eliminating the causes of the disease rather than just bandaging the problem and controlling symptoms with medication which comes with innumerable side effects. Here are 5 exceptional foods to heal diabetes.

1. Cinnamon

We all know about this spice in our kitchen, but do you know that it was used as a medicine in ancient times? The anti- diabetic compounds in cinnamon reduce the rate at which glucose enters our body. It improvises glucose uptake by the cells and helps with blood sugar spikes. Regular dosage reduces fasting blood sugar as well as elevated levels of cholesterol in the body. The dosage recommended for diabetics is between 3-6 grams a day of the cinnamon powder.
2. Daruhaldi

This thorny herb has been used as a medicine for the longest time. Nature has indeed provided us with all these herbs that we have been using and have their descriptions in our Vedic literature. The root of the herb is ground into a powder and can be taken at least 2 times in a day. The herb stimulates the pancreas to release insulin in the blood and also helps with insulin resistance among the cells. Hence, glucose enters the cell providing energy and purifying the blood of any sugar.

3. Turmeric

A natural anti-diabetic, anti- cancer anti-inflammatory and anti- allergic, haldi or turmeric helps with insulin resistance, allowing glucose to enter the cells effectively. Diabetics should drink a cup of turmeric tea i.e. add a pinch of pure turmeric in a glass of water allow it to boil and drink. This also works very well for any inflammation in the body, which is common with diabetics.

4. Coconut oil

Coconut oil is an effective and natural way to cure diabetes. Coconut oil contains lauric acid and medium chain fatty acids that are lighter than glucose, so it easily gets into the cells providing super fuel to the cells without any need of insulin. Coconut fat does not get stored in the human body and is utilized as energy.

5. Jamun seeds

The fruit is exceptional for managing blood sugar, not just that the seeds of the fruit, if dried and powdered are very effective in controlling sugar levels. Anything that is astringent in taste is nature's design to cure metabolic diseases caused by excessive sweetness in the body.

The ancient Ayurvedic texts give an abundance of natural solutions to various lifestyle diseases, which now modern research is validating. Let’s go back to our roots and heal our bodies. The cookies, biscuits, breads, pastas and especially the diet and fat-free food flooded in the markets are highly inflammatory. The oils, sugar and other ingredients used are toxic. Hence, go back to a diet with 60-70 % of your diet from plants and fruits. Each meal you consume should be full of healthy foods giving each organ the nourishment its craving for.

Mint or pudina is a common feature in Indian drinks and dishes during summers. The cooling properties of the bright green leaves are very well known. Mint leaves are also added to teas, for a soothing elixir. The leaves of the plant are packed with a number of health benefits, from boosting digestion to keeping bad breath away. No wonder it finds its way into a range of cocktails, mocktails, dips and even desserts. But did you know that mint or pudina is very beneficial for the skin as well? When applied on the skin, mint paste can help soothe the skin and keep acne away.

Mint is rich in menthol and also has anti-bacterial properties. Summer is the season when we tend to face a number of skin problems, like frequent acne and pimple breakouts, sun burns and rashes and mint is one ingredient, you can count upon to come to your rescue. From cleansing to toning and hydrating your skin, mint performs a number of functions in a summer face pack.
Here are some mint face packs to try out this summer:

1. Mint and cucumber face pack
Mint and cucumber are both amazing for the skin during summers, for their powerful cooling and hydrating properties. All you need to do for this face pack is take a few fresh pudina leaves and a few slices of cucumber, along with some honey and put them all in a mixer to form a smooth paste. Apply this face pack for about 15 minutes and rinse off with cold water. This removes blemishes and calms inflammation on the skin.
2. Mint and Fuller's Earth (Multani Mitti) face pack
Fuller's earth or multani mitti is great for the skin. Add mint leaves to the mix to enhance its cleansing and oil control properties. All you have to do to make this face pack is mix a little bit of multani mitti with honey and curd and throw in some crushed mint leaves. Apply this face pack and leave it on for 20 minutes, or until the pack has completely dried. This face pack is great for cleansing out pores, regulating oily skin and restoring the moisture of the skin.

3.Mint and rosewater face pack
Rosewater is important for maintaining the skin's pH balance and also controls excess oil. It is also anti-inflammatory. Add mint and honey to a little bit of rose water and apply it to your face for some time. Rinse it off after some time for an even toned, hydrated and soft skin.

4. Mint and turmeric face pack
Turmeric face mask can act on acne and may help reduce the pimples. Because of anti-inflammatory properties, the spice acts on acne scars and can also clear the face. Grind a few fresh and clean mint leaves, with a little bit of water and add just a dash of turmeric to the mix. Apply this face pack on your skin and leave it on for about 15 minutes, before washing it off.

5. Mint, oats and cucumber face scrub
When the skin tends to collect a lot of dirt and oil, bring this face scrub to your rescue. All you need for this cleansing and hydrating scrub is some mint leaves, some unsweetened oats, a few cucumber slices, honey and some milk. Oats are known for their exfoliating action on the skin and can effectively remove dead skin cells from the face. To make this face scrub, mix milk and oats in a bowl, add honey, grated cucumber and crushed mint leaves to it. Mix it all thoroughly and apply the scrub on your face in a gentle circular motion. Once done, rinse off your face and gently dab it with the towel to dry it.

Although there are no side-effects of using mint on your skin, for people who have an extra-sensitive skin, which is prone to frequent rashes, it's advisable to consult an expert dermatologist before adding anything to your skin routine.