Are you someone who often finds your nails becoming brittle and chipping as they get longer or finds that your nails have white patches? Well, we often take care of our hair, our skin, and our bodies, but forget about our nails.
Nail health is just as important and you do not need manicures, pedicures, or nail spas to treat your nails. None of these things will help your nails get stronger or improve their health.
But all you need to do is eat the right kinds of foods and you’re good to go! You will soon be on your way toward having stronger and healthier nails.
Here are six of the best foods to eat for stronger nails:
- Eggs
Eggs are a rich source of protein and can help strengthen the nails and improve nail health as it can help produce keratin, a protein that keeps the nails strong and healthy. Eggs are also rich in biotin and this biotin can help promote better cell growth and aid body metabolism to build proteins and amino acids that can contribute to healthy nail growth.
- Green leafy vegetables
Green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, cabbage, collard greens, lettuce, etc can help improve nail health. They contain a rich amount of folic acid. Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9 is key in repairing the cells that make up the nails. It can help make your nails stronger and promote quicker growth of nails. It can also prevent the nails from breaking and becoming brittle.
- Seeds and Nuts
Eating seeds and nuts like cashew nuts, almonds, walnuts, pumpkin, flaxseeds, chia seeds, etc can help improve nail health as these nuts contain healthy fats and minerals like copper, magnesium, zinc, iron, vitamins, and selenium. They can prevent the nails from becoming brittle and strengthen the nails so that they do not chip off easily.
- Salmon
Consuming salmon (or any other fish rich in omega-3s like trout, herring, sardines, mackerels, etc), can help improve nail health and make the nails stronger as they are not just rich in protein but are rich and loaded with omega-3 fatty acids that can help strengthen the nail bed and give the nail a healthy atmosphere to grow in. It can also help reduce any sort of nail infection.
- Berries
Berries of all kinds from strawberries, mulberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, etc, can all help in promoting better nail health and strengthening the nails as they are rich in antioxidants that can prevent and reverse any damage and inflammation caused in the cells of the nails.
- Red Meats
Consuming any type of red meat like lamb or mutton, beef, veal, etc, can help improve nail health as red meats are rich in iron content. Iron helps promote better oxygen and blood flow to the nails. This is very essential to help improve and maintain good nail health and can also improve nail strength.
Tips on how to maintain good nail health to get longer and stronger nails:
- Cut and clean your nails regularly and avoid dirt collecting in them, as it can cause bacterial growth under your nail. Make sure not to bite your nails, as they can lead to bacterial infections.
- Use sharp nail cutters or nail clippers to cut your nails from time to time, because having nails that are too long can cause them to break more easily.
- Moisturize your hands and nails (especially at the cuticles).
- Eating the right types of food.
- Wear gloves when doing chores.
- Stay hydrated as drinking sufficient water can help the nails retain adequate moisture and avoid it becoming brittle.