Nails are often the pride and joy of many women. Men often use the appearance of women’s nails as an indication of how much confidence a woman has. Red nails say it all! Some people think well groomed nails can denote a woman of idle leisure. But actually even hard working hands can look well groomed if only they were cared for a little. It may surprise you to know well groomed nails start with what you eat.
Everyone knows what you put into your body matters a great deal to the appearance of your body. If you eat too much fat, your body will look overweight. If you don’t drink enough water your skin will be dry and shrivelled. However, not enough of us pay attention to the effect this has on our nails.
Protein is essential for healthy nails. Nails are made of structural proteins and therefore protein is necessary for the continued growth of healthy nails. Eating foods such as eggs, soya and nuts can vastly improve the strength of your nails.
Zinc is also very important as it boosts your immune system. If you find you have white spots on your nails, this is a sign you are deficient in zinc. Dark chocolate, nuts and eggs are rich in zinc and will thus reduce the appearance of white dots on your nails.
Brittle nails are often caused by a lack of iron. Leafy greens like spinach, lentils, beans and lean red meat are all excellent sources of iron. Iron is absorbed better into your body when combined with Vitamin C which can be found in citrus fruits such as oranges and berries.
Keeping your body hydrated is also vital to maintaining beautiful nails and skin too. Drinking plenty of water and moisturising your hands regularly can significantly improve the shine of your nails. This is especially important for those hard working hands which are exposed to chemicals and detergents. Wearing gloves, washing your hands and moisturising can help protect your nails a great deal.