Crispy, crunchy and full of crucial vitamins and minerals, this granola for hair growth is a great addition to a mindful breakfast or camping snack! With potent ingredients like black sesame, goji berry and walnuts, this granola has the essential nutrients needed to help hair grow and preserve healthy hair.

Close-up of black sesame goji granola for hair growth on Greek yogurt in a wooden bowl

Hair loss is a common and distressing symptom of PCOS (now officially known as PMOS – polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome). Hormone imbalances in the body cause the ovaries (and sometimes the adrenal glands) to overproduce androgens, which disrupt the natural hair growth cycle. In patients, this means hair falls out faster than it can grow back, leading to diffuse hair thinning all over the head.

For many, hair loss can be remedied by supplementing their diet with foods rich in vitamins and minerals especially helpful for hair and skin. These include foods high in vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin E and zinc.

Contrary to popular belief, high doses of biotin promoting hair growth is actually not supported by current scientific literature.

Two wooden bowls of Greek yogurt topped with sesame goji granola on a pink marble counter

Why This Granola For Hair Growth Works

As we age, our hair naturally becomes drier, duller and less bouncy. Much of this has to do with the gradual oxidative stress our cells and ultimately, our follicles endure over our lifetime.

In those who struggle with PCOS, our hair growth cycle is interrupted by excess androgens such as testosterone and DHT. These excess hormones can affect hair follicles on our head. They shrink the follicles and shorten the hair growth cycle. This leads to androgenic alopecia, or female pattern baldness.

White bowl of black sesame seeds, a TCM remedy for premature gray hair and hair loss — Photo by Adventure Studio on Pexels.com

Black Sesame For Premature Gray Hair

In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) black sesame seeds are used to tonify the Kidneys and Liver. Tonifying foods are ones that are meant to be taken gradually over a period of time in order to see the benefits, rather than taking it once and “curing” an ailment.

Because hair is closely tied to the Kidneys and blood, nourishing them with black sesame helps to fight hair loss, premature graying, dryness and dullness.

Black sesame is rich in healthy fats that help support skin moisture balance (in the case of hair, your scalp). It is also rich in vitamin E and antioxidants which play a crucial part in reducing oxidative stress, a leading cause of cellular damage which can result in gray hair.

What’s even more exciting is that for folks who deal with comorbidities of PCOS like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, compounds such as sesamin support liver function and are beneficial when taken in moderation.

Since sesame is relatively high in calories and fats, if that is something you are concerned about then start with a very small amount and consume with other foods to ensure digestion is not impaired.

Dried goji berries in a blue ceramic bowl beside black rice and sliced almonds — Photo by Robert Bykowski on Pexels.com

Goji Berry For Treating Gray Hair, Inflammation & Liver Damage

Goji berry is one of the most well known and widely used ingredients in TCM thanks to its potent anti-inflammatory properties. It’s been used medicinally for at least 2000 years, and is included in many TCM remedies to help heal vision loss, dizziness, persistent cough and male virility.

It’s high vitamin A and anti-oxidant content helps keep the eyes resilient, as well as keep skin youthful and protected against free radical damage. It also contains compounds that help protect the liver.

Goji berry is normally sold dried, and has a slightly sweet taste and chewy texture. This makes it perfect for mixing into crunchy granola, sprinkling on top of porridge and steeped into teas.

Chunks of Okinawan black sugar (kurozato) in a small ceramic pitcher on a black plate — Photo by Mr. Eric on Pexels.com

Health Benefits of Black Sugar

Sugar is often not listed as a health benefit when it comes to PCOS recipes, however I will make the exception for black sugar. Known in Okinawa as 黒砂糖 (kuro-zato), black sugar is different from white, brown or red varieties.

Notably, it is used often as a first-line remedy to help soothe painful menstruation by nourishing and tonifying qi and the Blood. It promotes healthy blood circulation and therefore has positive compound effects on other parts of the body as well.

Black sugar retains its natural molasses content, and provides trace amounts of iron, calcium and potassium.

However, like all sugars you should limit your consumption as it will raise blood sugar levels. Those with diabetes and insulin resistance will need to take extra precautions when consuming sugar in general. If concerned, you can substitute the black sugar in this recipe with zero calorie sweetners such as allulose, sugar free honey or monkfruit.

Overhead view of two bowls of yogurt topped with black sesame goji granola and honey

How To Serve and Store Sesame Goji Granola

You can eat this mildly sweet granola in the same way you would any other granola- sprinkled on top of yogurt, an acai bowl, or munched on by the handful after a nice long hike.

The earthy nuttiness from the sesame and the slightly smokey sweetness from the black sugar make this granola a little more unique than your average grocery store granola!

I like to serve this alongside sliced banana for a more substantial breakfast, or with a quick fresh zest of lemon. The sesame notes compliment both of these flavors really well, as does vanilla, honey and apple.

Once the granola has cooled completely, store it in an airtight container for up to 6 months.