Walk into any beauty supply store or down the hair care aisle of your local shop, and the number of choices can be overwhelming. Shampoos, conditioners, treatments, masks, hairsprays, gels, dry shampoos, leave-ins...the list seems never-ending.

While these products can be great for your hair, if you’re only focusing on them, then you’re missing out on a key part of your hair care regimen: nutrition. If you provide your body with the nutrients that it needs, then it can function at its best, including growing hair that is strong, healthy, and shiny.

No nutritious diet is complete without protein. But protein is for building muscles, right? Right! But hair is also made of protein, so getting enough of it is essential to hair growth.

Soy Protein for a Healthier Head of Hair

So now you’re faced with all of the different kinds of proteins out there, right? Whey, casein, rice, pea, fish, poultry, red meat, beans...this list can seem never-ending, too!

While you should get protein from a variety of sources, soy protein in particular packs a nutritional punch that can do wonders for your hair.

You’ve probably heard quite a bit about soy protein in the last decade or so, and a lot of the information can be contradictory and confusing. Here’s what to look at in terms of healthy hair.

Soy Protein in Your Hair Care Products

Soy protein isn’t just good for you by way of what you eat, it’s also great in your hair care products! You’ll often see it as “hydrolyzed soy protein” on the ingredients list, which means that the proteins have been broken down into smaller amino acid chains. This makes it easier for your hair to absorb and use the protein.

Hydrolyzed soy protein is used in hair care products to improve texture and to strengthen and repair hair that has been damaged. It’s also great for hydration and giving your hair that beautiful glossy, shiny look.

You might see soy protein listed as soybean protein, soybean peptide, hydrolyzed soy protein, soy amino acid, or something containing the words “glycine soja.”

Soy protein can give your damaged hair a boost and give dull, thirsty locks some shine.

The Truth About Soy

One cup of cooked soybeans contains 22 grams of protein as well as folic acid, B vitamins, zinc, potassium, and iron, all of which are important nutrients for your hair in one tidy package.

The Harvard School of Public Health recommends looking at this “protein package” when you’re choosing what to eat. This means that you shouldn’t just count how many grams of protein any given food provides, but all of the other stuff that comes with it.

For example, a ribeye steak contains a lot of protein and all of the amino acids that our bodies need, but it also contains a lot of saturated fat that isn’t good for our overall health. Amino acids are the building blocks that make up protein, and our bodies use them for all sorts of essential functions.

Ham also contains a lot of protein and all of the amino acids but tends to have high amounts of sodium.

On the other hand, soy provides us with a lot of protein, though not all of the amino acids we need (so it shouldn’t be your only source of protein), but it also has a bunch of other essential nutrients and healthy fats and is low in sodium and saturated fat.

These other vitamins and minerals fuel your body and all that it does, including immune function, overall energy, digestion, and, you guessed it, hair growth.

The whole thing is a give and take, and it’s worth it to educate yourself on types of protein and the nutritional value of different sources. This is especially true for vegetarians or vegans, who need to combine protein from different foods in order to get the full amino acid profile.

It’s important to also point out that soy contains compounds called isoflavones, which can mess with your estrogen levels. Moderation is key! Include soy protein in your diet to reap the health benefits, but by no means make it your only source of protein.

Strong Hair, Strong You

Protein isn’t just for bodybuilders! Getting enough protein is essential for your overall health and is key not only for strong muscles but also strengthens hair and nails, which are also made of protein.

Choose protein sources that have numerous benefits including healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, like soy. Look for soy products that use non-GMO, organic soybeans, and give fermented foods like miso or tempeh a try for even more health benefits.

At the end of the day, whether you’re using soy in your diet or in your hair products, it can help you be a healthier, stronger you with healthier, stronger hair.