Which statement best describes how a balanced diet affects hair health?

• A. Vitamins and nutrients support healthy hair, and stress can cause brittle hair and shedding
• B. Diet has no impact on hair health
• C. Hair health is determined solely by genetics
• D. Carbohydrates are the only nutrient that matters for hair

Answer: (A)

A balanced diet supplies the vitamins, minerals, and protein that hair relies on to grow strong. Hair is made mainly of keratin, a protein that needs amino acids from dietary protein. Minerals like iron and zinc support oxygen delivery to follicles and enzyme function, while vitamins (including B vitamins, A, C, D, and E) support scalp health and the processes that build hair. When nutrition is lacking, hair can become dry, brittle, and prone to breakage, and prolonged deficiencies can lead to thinning or shedding.

Stress can also affect hair, often causing more hairs to shed a few months after a stressful event because the hair growth cycle is disrupted. A good diet helps support resilience, but the overall message is that what you eat matters for hair health, not just genetics or carbohydrates alone.