Healthy hair, hydration closely woven

The most important thing to remember about health is that it begins from the inside and works outward.

Once a person eats well, all aspects of his body begin to improve.

Improvement can appear in the form of softer, clearer skin, more energy a leaner body and healthier hair.

Tonya Johnson, a licensed beautician from Chicago, believes that hair growth begins with healthy eating.

A vegan and an advocate of organic foods, Johnson said her diet is not only healthy, but also helps improve hair growth.

Through the combination of an organic food diet and the skills she learned as a beautician, she has been able to maintain healthy hair.

One of the first things Johnson said to remember about hair is that it has to stay hydrated.

“When hair is hydrated, dandruff is less likely to appear and it prevents adding hair products that clog the hair follicles and attract dirt,” Johnson said.

She recommends eating a cucumber daily, drinking as much water as possible and eating green vegetables.

“If it’s healthy for you, why not try it?” said Brandi Moore, 20, a sophomore business administration student from Cocoa. “I wouldn’t mind changing my diet to improve my health.”

Another recommendation for hydration is to eat more essential fats such as olive oil, canola oil and flaxseed oil. Drinking juices strictly made of real fruit also hydrates.

Jamie Johnson, 21, a junior elementary education student from Atlanta, has changed her diet to improve her health and hair growth.

“Every day, I drink about four 12-ounce bottles of water and a glass of coconut water,” Johnson said. “I’ve been doing this for about a month and I can see a difference in my skin and hair.”

Tonya Johnson also mentioned what foods to avoid.

“The No. 1 ingredient to stay away from is high fructose corn syrup,” Tonya Johnson said.

According to the Weston A. Price Foundation, a non-profit foundation that researches nutrition, this sweetener is found in foods and drinks such as fruit punches, candy, cookies, soft drinks and even salad dressing.

High fructose corn syrup not only inhibits hair growth, but it also affects your health in general. This sweetener makes hair drier by reverses the hydration process because it is much stronger than regular sugar.

The Weston A. Price Foundation says that high fructose corn syrup is also bad for teeth and weakens bones in the body.

To avoid the harsh consequences of harmful ingredients, take the time to read the ingredients on the back of any food or drink. 

Contact Alicia Alexander at famuanhealth@hotmail.com