If you want a beard that grows long, thick and is the envy of all your friends, you need to invest in expensive creams, lotions, and potions, right?
Wrong.
Boys, what you need for a healthy-looking beard may have been staring you in the face all along. Water.
Drink water little and often
Water is the purest fluid to help keep us hydrated and drinking it is great for your overall health, as well as that of your skin and hair. To maintain or even begin good hair growth, you’ll need a good growing foundation. So, your skin needs to be healthy and the best way to ensure this is to drink plenty of water.
Water improves blood circulation, allowing oxygen to be transported to cells and tissues, including the skin. So, if your skin is healthy, then you’re more likely to get good facial hair growth.
And, beer isn’t the answer, either. It may be stereotypical to think of bearded men in lumberjack shirts and sipping on bottles of beer but alcohol is not good for our hydration. So, if you’re wanting luscious long beardy locks then reaching for the beers is probably not a good idea, especially if you have a few too many.
That’s because alcohol dehydrates the body. After all, it reduces the natural production of an antidiuretic hormone which helps to reabsorb water. Instead, you’ll find you lose more water, particularly through pee but it can also be through sweat and, if the hangover is really bad, then vomit, too.
You can help to limit the dehydrating effect by balancing out your alcohol intake with equal amounts of water, but that’s probably easier said than done on a night out with friends!
Healthy lifestyle habits can help too
As well as drinking more water throughout the day, there are other things you can do to help promote facial hair growth.
Exercise
Exercise, for example, may help to increase the level of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) circulating in the bloodstream which could stimulate hair growth. Although it is true that too much DHT can result in hair loss in men.
However, exercise is good for all aspects of your health; physical, emotional and mental. Everyone should aim to complete at least 30 minutes of exercise every day such as running, walking, cycling, swimming, and dancing.
Diet
A major component of hair is protein and some healthy fats and oils. Therefore, your diet can have a major role in the health of your beard growth. We should all aim to eat a healthy, balanced diet, regardless of whether we want to grow a beard.
We should base our meals on starchy carbohydrates, wholegrain varieties are best, like whole-wheat pasta, brown rice, or potatoes. Alongside this, good sources of proteins like lean cuts of meat, fish and pulses should be consumed. Don’t forget to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, too, these contain vital nutrients hair needs to grow.
Summary
Lads, if you’re growing a beard or are wondering why your beard isn’t growing as fast as you like, take a look at your lifestyle. Are you exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and staying hydrated? If not, then this might be your answer.
If you need some inspiration to increase your water intake, then look no further than a Hydratem8 tracker bottle. They’re easy to use, look super cool and help to cut down on your plastic usage. Staying on top of your hydration has never been easier.
Sources
Craig, B, W., Brown, R and Everhart, J. (1989). Effects of Progressive Resistance Training on Growth Hormone and Testosterone Levels in Young and Elderly Subjects. Mech Ageing Dev: 49(2), pp 159-69.
National Health Service. (2019). The Eatwell Guide. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/the-eatwell-guide/
