Brussels sprouts are, year after year, voted the UK’s most hated vegetable. Around 19% of Brits name them as their least favourite, and they sit in a very unloved group alongside artichokes, celery, aubergine and beetroot, but sprouts tend to take the crown, especially when they appear next to a roast in winter. Love them, hate them or quietly push them to one side, they’re one of those foods most of us only really think about when the cold weather rolls in.

That might be about to change, though, because a Harley Street hair specialist says this Marmite veg deserves a lot more respect, especially when it comes to hair health. Mark Blake, a trichologist with more than 40 years in the hair industry, recently shared his thoughts in aTikTok video, calling Brussels sprouts “fantastic” for your hair. Hair experts at UK Hair Transplants agree, pointing out that what you eat really does matter, because your hair roots are fed by the blood supply in the scalp. In other words, your diet doesn’t just show up on your skin or your energy levels, it plays a part in how your hair grows and feels, too.

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At first glance, Brussels sprouts don’t exactly scream ‘beauty food’. They’re not photogenic, they’re not trendy, and no one is sprinkling them over smoothie bowls. But when you look at what’s inside them, they start to look a lot more appealing. In his video, Mark tackles the question head-on: are Brussels sprouts good for your hair?

His answer is a clear yes. He explains that sprouts contain vitamin C, vitamin K and vitamin A, as well as cystine, an amino acid linked to healthy hair growth. They also contain iron, which is essential for hair growth, along with thymine, magnesium and potassium. That’s a lot of goodness packed into one little vegetable.

His wider point is that it’s not about chasing one miracle ingredient, but about patterns. As part of a healthy, balanced diet, he says, sprouts are “the perfect thing for your hair”, adding that they’re not just for Christmas, they’re helpful for keeping hair in good condition all year round.

A spokesperson from UK Hair Transplantsechoed that view, saying that while sprouts are a festive staple, they’re worth eating more often. They highlight that vitamin C helps the body absorb iron, and that sprouts are a good source of several nutrients that support the scalp.