Beets are a healthy and nutritious addition to the diet, but they also have some talents when it comes to hair. Since many people see thinning hair as a sign of aging, they turn to dietary supplements that contain ingredients thought to encourage hair growth. Among these is beetroot.
The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that while there isn’t enough evidence to suggest that taking a beetroot supplement can prevent or cure hair loss, eating beets might promote skin and hair health.
Beet juice has been used for this purpose in some cultures around the world. Some people swear by it, while others think it’s a myth.
Read on to find out more about how to use beetroot juice for hair growth.
Beet juice moisturizes the scalp, moisturizes, nourishes, and penetrates down to the roots of the hair follicles, where new hair growth begins.
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How does beet juice enhance hair growth?
Here is how beet juice enhances your hair growth:
1. Antioxidants help protect your body cells from free radicals that damage the cells and make them function less effectively. Free radicals can attack hair follicles, causing breakage and slowing down hair growth. When you consume foods with antioxidants, such as beets, this helps your body become more resilient against these free radicals.
2. Beet juice is rich in iron which gives strength to the hair and also maintains melanin production in the body. Melanin is a pigment that gives color to the hair. A reduction in its production can lead to grey or white hair, along with thinning hair.
3. Beet juice has high contents of Vitamin C, which makes skin healthier and reduces facial hair loss.
4. Beet juice helps balance the hormone levels in the body and prevents premature greying of hair.
How can I use beetroot juice on my hair?
Here are some quick tips for using beet juice on hair:
- Few drops of Beetroot juice added to your shampoo or conditioner can help strengthen your hair and stop fading due to excess bleaching caused by the sun’s UV rays.
- Add two teaspoons of lemon juice to a glass of beet juice and apply this to your hair regularly for at least 30 minutes before shampoo it off. Alternatively, mix a spoonful of aloe vera gel in four spoons of beet juice and apply this to your scalp for fast results.
- You can also apply a paste made of two tablespoons of beet juice and besan to your hair for one hour before washing it off.
Pro tip: If you don’t want red-colored hair, try adding beet juice to henna powder and apply this as a natural hair dye. It will not only give you brown-colored hair with a natural shine but will also make your tresses stronger.
How do you boil beetroot for hair?
Boil sufficient beetroot in water to cover the number of beets you are using. Depending on how strong you want the juice to be, you can use one, two, or three bulbs. You can also add a little bit of vinegar or lemon juice to prevent staining your clothes and tiles.
The longer you boil them, the more concentrated the juice becomes. Once boiled, allow the beets to cool and strain them using a strainer or cheesecloth. You can store this in an airtight container for up to two days.
How often should you apply beetroot juice to your hair?
You can use beetroots juice once or twice a week, depending on how strong you want it to be.
It is advisable to do a patch test before using this juice on your hair for the first time. Just apply a little of the juice on your skin near your elbow to check if you are allergic or not. If no irritation occurs, then use it as mentioned above.
How long does beetroot hair last?
The fresh juice made from beetroot will last for about three days, and the stored juice up to two days. After this period, there is a very small chance of it spoiling or going bad due to microbial contamination.
Beetroot juice has been used as a hair conditioner and prevents grey and white hair in some ancient cultures.
Note: In ancient Greece and Rome, people dipped their heads in a bath of beetroot juice mixed with vinegar for black and shiny hair.
Is there any side effect of using beetroot on your hair?
There is no major or severe side effect caused by using beetroots on your hair after boiling, but some people may experience mild irritation if they have a sensitive scalp or if their hair is very greasy. In such cases, it is advisable to dilute the juice with water.
Can beetroot reverse GREY hair?
In 2013, researchers prepared a solution using red beetroot and an acidic ingredient in a study published in the International Journal of Trichology. They stated that this solution had been found to reduce greying or whitening of hair due to aging.
What are the other benefits of beetroot?
Beet juice benefits for skin and hair are well documented in the history of sages. Beets are good for liver ailments, especially during summertime when toxins accumulate in the body, mostly due to water retention. Preparation of a vegetable juice with beets, cabbage, and celery is used for treating various skin conditions. Beet is also prescribed as an excellent food for obese people.
Beet contains a high amount of folate that stimulates the production of red blood cells in the body. It helps improve low energy levels, which is helpful for less active individuals like pregnant women, post-surgery patients, and those with autoimmune disorders.
Conclusion
Beet juice has recently been used as a home remedy for controlling dandruff, eczema, and psoriasis as it helps remove toxins from the body and soothe irritated skin. Packed with antioxidants, it also prevents free radicals from damaging cells in the scalp and hair follicles – thus reducing hair fall and making the hair stronger.
While there’s no scientific evidence that beetroot can help increase hair growth, its several benefits for skin and hair make it a perfect companion that every natural beauty enthusiast should be aware of!