We all love food right? And we love any excuse to eat more of it but did you know that there is some good evidence out there suggesting that a good diet and beard growth are closely linked? Now we’ve all fallen victim and been sucked into the “dude food” craze but before you go reaching for that double beef with oozy cheese burger there are a few beard conscious decisions you need to make with your next meal.

“The condition of your facial hair directly corresponds to the health of your body,” says Jim White, a registered dietitian and American Dietetic Association spokesman. More specifically the same nutrients that benefit the heart and our other major organs do well in promoting the health of our facial hair and skin. So what should you be looking for in your food to increase the health of your face curtain? Let’s take a look at how you can literally eat your way to a better beard.

Protein,

Is a major factor in the quality of hair production. Our body can’t produce amino acids so instead it needs to break down the protein we eat to get them. Hair follicles are made up mostly of amino acids, so this one is a no brainer. Protein rich foods like fish, beef, chicken and beans are the best here.

B Vitamins,

Our body needs help to break those proteins down and that’s where B vitamins come into their own. They help the body synthesise the proteins so we can build new skin cells and hair. Fish, shellfish, red meat, cheese, brown rice and oats are a great source of B vitamins.

Vitamin A,

This little gem as well as beta carotene aid the growth of facial hair in a number of ways. It’s main purpose is to repair skin cells, which ultimately promotes a good environment for your hair to grow. They also assist the body in creating sebum, which is an oily substance that will stop your hair from drying out and breaking off. However, exercise caution with this one as too much vitamin A can actually have a negative effect on hair growth. Everything in moderation right? So we recommend not supplementing this one, what you get from a healthy diet will be fine. Vitamin A can be found in cheese, milk and eggs. Beta carotene can be found in orange vegetables like sweet potato and leafy greens like spinach.

Vitamins C and E,

If your beard is patchy or thin in parts, you don’t want to skimp out here. Vitamins C and E just like vitamin A, help you to produce sebum, that oily substance that runs along the hair follicle. Not only will it make your beard look fuller but also encourage a more natural, softer and lush appearance. Citrus fruits, broccoli and peppers are good sources of vitamin C and to get your dose of vitamin E you want broccoli, almonds, mangoes and our favourite, peanut butter. Never again will you feel guilty about spooning peanut butter directly from the jar to your mouth, all for the beard right?

Omega 3 Fatty Acids,

We all know these will help with shine and oil, but did you also know they help to prevent your cell membranes from breaking down, and in turn help you to have a stronger beard? Oily fish like salmon, and nuts are a great source.

If you find your diet is lacking in vitamins and minerals, you can boost it by using a good multivitamin – but let’s face it, nothing beats the real thing. Other ways to aid in your beard growth include reducing stress as it tends to have a negative effect on hair production, get plenty of sleep and if all else fails, learn how to chop wood with an axe, testosterone is one of the main factors in how well your beard will grow.

Beard Oil,

Adds moisture to the skin and hair and gives it all a good boost of nutrients which aids in the health of the hair and skin. Make sure you use daily so your beard and skin are receiving a constant supply of moisture and nutrients.

If after all this your beard is still lacking, then unfortunately genetics are not on your side. All we can do is provide the best environment for your beard to sprout but sometimes theres nothing we can do about those damn genes!