Are you looking for a natural way to nourish your hair and improve its health? Curd, a staple in many kitchens, is often praised for its potential benefits for hair care.
Rich in proteins, healthy fats, and essential nutrients, curd is believed to help moisturize dry hair, strengthen strands, and even support scalp health.
While its benefits have been passed down through generations, scientific evidence on curd’s effectiveness for hair remains limited. However, many people continue to use it in their hair care routines, hoping to improve hair texture, reduce dandruff, and promote growth.
In this blog, we’ll explore the potential benefits of curd for hair, how you can use it effectively, and any possible side effects to keep in mind.
Nutritional Value
Here’s the nutritional value of 100 grams of curd made from whole milk:
- Energy: 78 kcal
- Protein: 3.82 g
- Total Fat: 4.48 g
- Carbohydrate: 5.57 g
- Total Sugars: 4.09 g
- Calcium: 127 mg (10% DV)
- Phosphorus: 101 mg (8% DV)
- Zinc: 0.43 mg (4% DV)
- Selenium: 2.2 mcg (4% DV)
- Thiamin (B1): 0.055 mg (5% DV)
- Riboflavin (B2): 0.243 mg (19% DV)
- Vitamin B12: 0.37 mcg (15% DV)
- Vitamin A: 48 mcg (5% DV)
- Vitamin D: 1.2 mcg (6% DV)
Benefits of Curd For Hair
Below are the potential benefits of curd for hair.
May Help Moisturize Dry Hair
Dry, brittle hair is a common concern, especially for those exposed to pollution or harsh styling treatments. But curd comes to the rescue! Packed with protein and healthy fats, it deeply moisturizes and nourishes your hair from within.
Proteins help hair stay hydrated by attracting and holding onto water, creating a protective shield that locks in moisture. This keeps hair soft, resilient, and less prone to dryness or damage from heat, chemicals, or the environment. However, their effectiveness depends on the type of protein, its structure, and the pH level at which it’s applied.
Meanwhile, the saturated fats in curd act as natural emollients, which means they help moisturize and soften your hair. Additionally, these fats also make curd an excellent natural hair conditioner.
There’s currently little to no scientific evidence that eating or applying curd directly moisturizes hair.
May Help Strengthen Hair
Protein is a key building block of hair, and curd provides a natural source of high-quality protein. It contains essential amino acids, including leucine and histidine, which play a vital role in hair health.
Research suggests that deficiencies in specific amino acids, such as histidine and leucine, are common in alopecia patients. While amino acid supplementation shows mixed results due to incomplete formulations, marine protein-based supplements have demonstrated significant improvements in hair growth and reduced shedding.
Including curd in your diet can be a natural way to support protein intake, ensuring your body gets the essential amino acids it needs.
While it remains unclear whether all alopecia patients require supplementation, consuming protein-rich foods like curd could help maintain strong and healthy hair. However, direct studies linking curd consumption or topical use to improved hair strength are still limited.
May Promote Hair Growth
Curd is often promoted for hair growth, but scientific evidence supporting its topical benefits remains limited.
While there are limited studies on topical application, curd is a decent source of vitamin D. Studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency is linked to hair loss, and those with lower vitamin D2 levels experienced more severe hair fall.
However, there isn’t enough research to confirm whether vitamin D-rich foods like curd can help with hair loss.
May Help Reduce Dandruff
Some people believe that applying curd to the scalp can help reduce dandruff, but research on this is limited.
Curd contains probiotics, which may play a role in dandruff reduction by influencing the gut-hair axis, though there’s little evidence on whether the specific bacteria in curd have this effect.
Curd also contains lactic acid, which may gently exfoliate the scalp by removing dead skin cells and excess oil—potential dandruff triggers—but scientific support for this claim remains limited.
Curd is also believed to promote scalp health by maintaining pH balance and reducing itchiness, but this remains anecdotal and lacks scientific evidence.
How to Use Curd for Healthy Hair
Although scientific evidence on curd’s benefits for hair is limited, you can still try it in your haircare routine to see if it works for you.
Curd Hair Mask
- Mix plain curd with a tablespoon of honey and a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
- Apply the mixture to damp hair, focusing on the roots and ends.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
Curd and Lemon Rinse
- Mix equal parts of curd and lemon juice.
- Massage the mixture into your scalp and hair, then leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.
- This rinse may help remove excess oil, dandruff, and buildup, leaving your hair clean and refreshed.
Curd and Aloe Vera Treatment
- Blend curd with fresh aloe vera gel to create a nourishing hair mask.
- Apply the mixture to your hair and scalp, then cover with a shower cap.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes and rinse thoroughly.
- This treatment may moisturize the hair, soothe the scalp, and promote healthy hair growth.
Dietary Intake
You can also include curd in your diet as part of your haircare routine, as it contains probiotics and small amounts of nutrients like zinc, selenium, and vitamin D, which may support hair growth.
Potential Side Effects
While curd is often praised for its hair benefits, there are potential side effects to consider:
- Allergic reactions: Some individuals sensitive to dairy may experience itching, redness, or swelling.
- Residue buildup: Curd’s thick consistency can leave hair feeling greasy or heavy if not rinsed properly.
- Lingering odor: The distinct smell of curd may remain on the hair, which some may find unpleasant.
- Risk of infections: In rare cases, using contaminated curd or leaving it on for too long may increase the risk of fungal or bacterial infections.
To minimize these risks, perform a patch test before use and ensure thorough rinsing. If irritation or other adverse effects occur, discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional.
Also read: Benefits of Sunflower Seeds for Hair, What Science Says?
In Conclusion
Curd is more than just a kitchen staple—it’s a natural remedy that may promote stronger, healthier hair. Whether you’re dealing with dryness, dandruff, or hair fall, curd offers hydration, nourishment, and scalp care through its proteins, healthy fats, probiotics, and essential nutrients.
Although scientific evidence on its benefits is limited, curd has been a part of traditional haircare routines for centuries. Whether used as a hair mask, rinse, or treatment, or even included in your diet, curd may help enhance your hair’s moisture, strength, and overall health.
If you’re curious about its effects, give curd a try and see how it works for your hair. Just remember to rinse thoroughly, do a patch test, and discontinue use if irritation occurs.
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