Beetroot can support hair growth both as a topical scalp treatment and as part of your diet, thanks to its unique combination of nitrates, pigments, and nutrients that improve blood flow, deliver key vitamins to hair follicles, and may even block a hormone linked to hair thinning. No single natural remedy will transform your hair overnight, but beetroot has several properties that make it a reasonable addition to your hair care routine.
Why Beetroot May Help Your Hair Grow
The most compelling thing about beetroot is its high concentration of dietary nitrates. When you consume beetroot, bacteria in your mouth convert those nitrates into nitric oxide, a molecule that relaxes blood vessel walls and improves circulation. Nitric oxide is a key modulator of vascular tone, blood flow, and tissue oxygenation throughout the body. Better blood flow to the scalp means hair follicles receive more oxygen and nutrients during their active growth phase.
Beetroot also contains betalain, the red pigment responsible for its deep color, which makes up 75 to 95% of the root’s pigment content. A computational study published in the Global Academic Journal of Pharmacy and Drug Research found that betalain binds effectively to the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT, the hormone most directly responsible for pattern hair loss. In that study, betalain showed stronger binding activity than the other compound tested, suggesting it could slow DHT production at the follicle level. This is the same enzyme that prescription hair loss drugs target, though beetroot’s effect hasn’t been confirmed in human trials yet.
On the nutritional side, 100 grams of fresh beetroot provides about 109 micrograms of folate (vitamin B9) and 0.75 to 0.80 milligrams of iron. Folate is essential for DNA synthesis and red blood cell production, both of which directly support the rapid cell division happening inside a growing hair follicle. Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional causes of hair shedding, particularly in women, and while beetroot alone won’t correct a significant deficiency, it contributes meaningfully to your daily intake.
How to Apply Beetroot Topically
The simplest topical method is a beetroot rinse. Chop one medium beetroot into small pieces and boil them in about two cups of water for 15 to 20 minutes until the water turns a deep red. Let the liquid cool completely, then strain out the pieces. Massage the beetroot water into your scalp using your fingertips, working in small circles to stimulate circulation. Leave it on for about an hour, then rinse with lukewarm water and follow with your regular shampoo.
For a more concentrated treatment, blend a raw beetroot with just enough water to create a smooth paste. You can apply this directly to your scalp in sections, similar to how you’d apply a hair dye. Cover your hair with a shower cap, leave it for 30 to 45 minutes, then wash it out thoroughly. Be aware that beetroot will temporarily stain light-colored hair, skin, towels, and clothing. Wearing gloves during application and using an old towel afterward saves a lot of frustration.
Beetroot Hair Masks With Other Ingredients
Combining beetroot with complementary ingredients can address multiple aspects of scalp health at once. A few combinations worth trying:
- Beetroot and ginger: Blend equal parts beetroot juice and fresh ginger juice. Ginger supports scalp circulation on its own, so the two ingredients amplify each other’s blood-flow benefits.
- Beetroot and coconut oil: Mix two tablespoons of beetroot juice with one tablespoon of coconut oil. The oil helps the mixture spread evenly, reduces staining, and adds moisture to dry or brittle hair.
- Beetroot and lemon juice: Add a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice to your beetroot rinse. The vitamin C in lemon supports collagen production around follicles and helps your body absorb the iron in beetroot more effectively.
Apply any of these masks once or twice per week. More frequent application won’t speed up results and can leave your scalp feeling irritated or overly dry.
Drinking Beetroot for Hair Health
Topical application targets the scalp directly, but drinking beetroot juice addresses hair growth from the inside by improving overall circulation and filling nutritional gaps. The nitric oxide pathway works systemically: once nitrates from beetroot enter your bloodstream, they promote vasodilation throughout your body, including the network of tiny blood vessels feeding your scalp.
A simple daily hair growth juice combines one small beetroot, a handful of spinach (rich in iron), a thumb-sized piece of ginger, half a lemon, and a tablespoon of ground flaxseed for omega-3 fatty acids. Blend everything with a cup of water and drink it fresh. If the earthy taste of beetroot is too strong, adding an apple or a few carrots makes it more palatable without diluting the benefits much. Drinking about 250 milliliters (one cup) of beetroot juice per day is a reasonable amount based on most circulation research.
How Long Before You See Results
Hair grows roughly half an inch per month, and any treatment, natural or pharmaceutical, needs time to influence the growth cycle. Studies on other natural topical treatments provide a useful benchmark. Research on rosemary oil showed significant increases in hair count after six months of consistent use. A study on plant-derived compounds applied twice daily found measurably higher hair density after six months. In another trial, 85% of participants who responded to treatment saw a roughly 67% reduction in hair loss at six months, with growth increases averaging around 32%.
With beetroot specifically, expect to commit to at least three months of regular use before evaluating whether it’s making a difference. Take photos of the same area of your scalp under the same lighting every four weeks so you have an objective comparison rather than relying on memory. Early signs of progress often include less hair in your brush or shower drain before you notice visible thickness changes.
Getting the Most Out of Beetroot
Fresh beetroot works better than pre-packaged beetroot juice for topical use because it hasn’t been heat-pasteurized, which can degrade some of the beneficial compounds. For drinking, both fresh and store-bought juice deliver nitrates effectively, but check the label for added sugars if you’re buying bottled versions.
Consistency matters more than intensity. A once-weekly scalp mask combined with regular dietary intake will outperform an aggressive week of daily treatments followed by nothing. Think of beetroot as one tool in a broader approach: pair it with a diet that covers your iron, zinc, and protein needs, minimize heat styling damage, and manage stress, which is one of the most overlooked triggers of hair shedding.
If your hair loss is rapid, patchy, or accompanied by scalp pain or scarring, those patterns point to causes that beetroot won’t address on its own, such as autoimmune conditions or hormonal imbalances that need medical evaluation.