Do your nails break easily? Do they take too long to grow? Then you can get healthier nails, and a great way to do that is to watch what you eat.
How your diet affects your nails
Keratin or the tough protein, which is responsible for the visible area of the nail, is dead. So when you nurture your nails, you’re caring for the nail existing below the cuticle.
When you eat protein, you are building calcium that encourages healthy nails. Cold-pressed oils, oily fish, red meat, nuts, chicken breast, and sunflower seeds are excellent sources of this protein. You can also opt for supplements especially if you are a vegetarian. Calcium supplements work better when taken with biotin and vitamin E and C.
What to avoid
Smoking depletes zinc supply in the body and should be avoided if you want healthier nails. Avoid excessive alcohol, a sedentary lifestyle, and stress because they contribute to poor protein uptake. No matter how much protein you take, these factors will prevent absorption of nutrients.
Drink lots of water
Don’t forget to drink water because it also plays a role in nail health. When you are dehydrated, it affects your hair and also makes you nails ridged and brittle. An excellent source of internal hydration is coconut water.
