#FoodForThought - First up it's fermented foods

As promised, we're taking a look at the foods that can potentially help or hinder your hairloss! Whilst there is limited evidence in support or otherwise of these claims, we are only considering natural food groups (not manufactured supplements) so we figure including these in your diets won't hurt!

First up, we're considering Fermented Foods...

Foods which have been fermented, literally mean those whose properties have been naturally altered by bacteria. Examples include yoghurt, which is fermented milk, and alcohol, which is sugar that has been fermented using yeast as well as many international products like sauerkraut and lassi. Now not all of these products are inherently good for you (we all know what happens with too much alcohol), but newly emerging evidence suggests that regularly eating fermented products is good for you, and helps keep the good bacteria in your gut happy! In fact, fermented foods are said to 'heal and seal' your gut, helping to repair existing damage and protect it in the future, simply because they are packed full of probiotic bacteria which are instrumental in physical and mental well being!

So why fermented foods?

• Immuno-support! Believe it or not, 80% of your immune system is actually linked to your gut! Given the connection between immunity and hairloss, having plenty of fermented foods in your diet has been linked to a more healthy immune system.
• They have high quantities of many vitamins and minerals like b-vitamins, Omega-3 fatty acids, and Vitamin K2. These vitamins are instrumental in maintaining a healthy body, enabling it to repair and heal itself from the inside out!
• Bacteria - you know the adverts which encourage you to give your tummy a little TLC? Well that's because of the good bacteria that your body needs; fermented foods provide nutrients that the good bacteria love (and indeed help introduce good bacteria into your gut in the first place), helping improve your levels of these good guys!

You can try opting for pro-biotic drinks for a similar range of benefits, however fermented foods are a more cost-effective and health-improving option; they cost less and give your body the opportunity to take the nutrients it needs.

Who knows if it will actually help with hairloss (there's no clinical studies that we can find), but given the general health and wellbeing benefits they potentially include, there's no harm in including more in your diet!

Victoria x

Please note: we're looking for experts in nutrition etc. but aren't them ourselves. All of the above is based on extensive research, but clinical trials weren't found, so the potential effects are unknown. More information on topics such as these can be found from your doctor, nutritionist or dietician so it's always worth an ask!

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