10 Magical Foods for Healthy & Strong Nails

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10 Magical Foods for Healthy Strong Nails

• What you put in your grocery cart is the first
  step toward maintaining healthy nails..
• You don't need a professional to get the
  glamorous nails you want. Although the strength
  of your nails is largely hereditary, the food you
  eat (or don't get enough of) can affect the
  status of your fingernails just as much as a
  fancy spa or mani-pedi treatment can. Nails are
  made of a fibrous protein called keratin thatwhen
  fed the right ingredientswill naturally grow
  stronger and healthier over time. 

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Check out the list below for foods that will give
you a healthy makeover without the hefty price
tag,

• Eggs
• Many nail supplements contain biotina B
  vitaminwhich many claim encourages healthy
  growth there is evidence that also supports the
  belief that biotin positively strengthens nails.
  Biotin has been shown to improve fingernails.
  Furthermore, biotin-treated nails also showed
  fewer signs of nail splitting. Eggs are an
  excellent source of biotin, which is found in the
  bright yellow yolk.
• Almonds
• Another great source of biotin? Almonds. In
  addition to aiding weight loss, a serving of the
  protein and fiber-packed nuts contains 49 of
  your RDA of biotin. Furthermore, almonds also
  contain a healthy dose of vitamin E, which we've
  already established plays an important role in
  keeping your nails in tip-top shape.

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• Strawberries
• That's right, the juicy, red fruits beloved by
  most have some serious benefits for your nails.
  Eating eight or more strawberries provides more
  vitamin C than an orange! And since vitamin C is
  essential for producing the collagen that keeps
  our nails resilient to breaks, the sweet red
  fruit is the perfect way to strengthen them.
• Chicken
• Fingernails are made largely of translucent
  keratin protein, so if you want them to grow
  healthier and stronger, eating a diet that's rich
  in the muscle-building, satiating nutrient is
  key. Simple, lean sources of protein will do the
  trick, such as chicken, turkey, or
  vegetarian-friendly tempeh.
• Flaxseed Oil
• Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are required for the
  proper structure and function of every cell in
  the body, and are important for optimal health.
  So far as nails are concerned, EFAs moisturize
  the nail bed, which increases the suppleness of
  thin, brittle nails. To get more of these
  superstar nutrients in your diet, up your intake
  of healthy fats, which can be done by adding
  something such as flaxseed oil to your diet.

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• Coconut Oil
• Though it shouldn't be eaten constantly, coconut
  oil is another example of a healthy fat that can
  strengthen and nourish your nails. What's more?
  The ever-trendy food doesn't even need to enter
  your mouth to get the job done. In fact, many
  people use coconut oil topically, as it can be
  applied to nails to soften cuticles, prevent
  hangnails, and moisturize hands.
• Lentils
• Lentils are loaded with nine essential vitamins
  and minerals, including B vitamins and biotin.
  That means, not only are they great for your
  overall health, but they're especially suited to
  keep your nails looking great and feeling strong.
  A daily oral dose of 2.5 milligrams of biotin
  showed definite improvement, with firmer and
  harder nails after approximately five and half
  months. Though there's nothing wrong with taking
  a biotin supplement, getting the nutrient from
  whole foods is more beneficial overall.

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• Watermelon
• Drinking lots of water is important to keep nails
  and cuticles hydrated, and in addition to making
  sure you drink plenty of water each day, you can
  also improve your nail health by eating foods
  with a high water content. Summer favorite
  watermelon, for example, contains about 92 water
  per volume. You can also add cucumbers to your
  diet to experience the same effects.
• Whole Grains
• Silica, the natural form of silicon, is a trace
  mineral that helps the body utilize calcium
  properly. It's also the predominant mineral in
  the composition of nails, which helps explain why
  it's so beneficial for them. According
  to Brazilian researchers, the presence of soft
  and brittle nails can indicate a systemic
  deficiency of silicon. Whole grains, such as
  wheat, barley, oats, and millet, are all
  excellent sources of silica.
• Red Bell Peppers
• In addition to keeping your skin firm and tight,
  collagen also helps your nails stay long and
  strong, that's why we suggest incorporating red
  bell peppers into your diet if you want your
  nails to look and feel their best. The bright
  veggies pack 190 of the day's recommended intake
  of vitamin C (an essential nutrient for producing
  collagen) and are also loaded with antioxidants
  that prevent free radicals from damaging and
  oxidizing our nail cells. Add some red peppers
  into a stir-fry, or dip the raw veggie in some
  hummus for a protein-packed snack.