Chia Seeds for Hair Growth: Is Morning or Night the Best Time to Eat Them?

Chia seeds, those tiny little nutritional powerhouses, have been a wellness darling for years now. We’ve sprinkled them on smoothie bowls, soaked them into pudding, and even added them to detox water. But if you’re looking at them through a beauty lens, these seeds can be a secret weapon for stronger, shinier, and healthier hair.

The big question? When should you eat them for the best hair growth - morning or night? Let’s break it down.

Before we get into the timing debate, here’s why chia seeds deserve a spot in your haircare routine:

Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids - Nourishes hair follicles, improves elasticity, and helps prevent breakage.

Loaded with protein - Hair is made of keratin, and chia seeds give your strands the building blocks they need to grow stronger.

Packed with antioxidants - Helps combat hair damage caused by environmental stressors.

High in zinc and copper - Encourages scalp health and boosts natural hair colour retention.

In short, chia seeds are like a multivitamin for your mane. But just like any nutrient-rich food, when you eat them can make a difference in how your body absorbs and uses those nutrients.

1. Kickstarting your metabolism for hair growth

Your body’s repair and growth processes happen throughout the day, so giving it the right nutrients early means they can be put to work right away. Eating chia seeds in the morning ensures your body starts its day with a nutrient boost, especially those omega-3s and proteins that help repair damaged hair.

2. Perfect addition to a healthy breakfast

Sprinkling chia seeds into your morning smoothie, yogurt, or overnight oats makes it easy to pair them with other hair-healthy foods like berries, nuts, and leafy greens. This combination supports collagen production and scalp blood circulation, two things your hair loves.

3. Keeps you energised

Chia seeds are high in fibre, which keeps your blood sugar stable. Stable blood sugar means less hair fallout since sudden spikes and crashes in insulin can mess with hair growth cycles.

Best way to have them in the morning:

Chia water with lemon

Chia pudding with almond milk and fruit

Mixed into an avocado toast topping

1. Overnight repair for hair follicles

Our bodies enter a deep repair mode at night. This is when cell regeneration, tissue repair, and nutrient absorption peak. Having chia seeds in the evening means your body gets a steady nutrient supply while you sleep, prime time for repairing and strengthening hair follicles.

2. Great for relaxation and digestion

Soaked chia seeds have a soothing, gel-like texture that’s easy on the stomach, which can help prevent bloating and discomfort before bed. Plus, the slow release of nutrients overnight can support scalp hydration and reduce hair dryness.

3. Works well with bedtime haircare routines

If you’re someone who applies overnight hair oils or masks, eating chia seeds at night works as an inside-out treatment. You’re feeding your hair from both directions while it rests and recovers.

Best way to have them at night:

Warm chia milk with cinnamon (like a bedtime latte)

Chia gel mixed into a small bowl of yogurt

Chia seeds soaked in herbal tea (peppermint or chamomile)

Here’s the thing - both timings have their benefits.

Choose morning if you want chia seeds to energise you, pair them with other superfoods, and keep your hair protected throughout the day.

Choose night if you want to maximise your body’s overnight repair mode and let your hair soak up nutrients while you sleep.

If hair growth is your ultimate goal, you could even split your daily serving (about 1–2 tablespoons) - half in the morning, half at night - to keep a steady nutrient supply.

Always soak them first

Soaked chia seeds are easier to digest, which means better nutrient absorption for hair health. Aim for at least 30 minutes of soaking in water or milk.

Vitamin C boosts collagen production, essential for strong hair. Add chia to citrus-based smoothies or top with kiwi, strawberries, or oranges.

Stay consistent

Just like a hair mask won’t work overnight, chia seeds need regular consumption, think at least 3–4 times a week for visible results over time.

Don’t go overboard

While they’re healthy, too much fibre can cause bloating. Stick to 1–2 tablespoons a day.

Combine with other hair-friendly habits

Oiling, scalp massages, and a balanced diet will complement the chia seed benefits and help you reach your hair goals faster.

Chia seeds are not just a passing wellness trend, they are a beauty staple that can transform your hair from the inside out. Whether you’re a sunrise-breakfast kind of person or a cosy-bedtime-snacker, these tiny seeds have the power to nourish, strengthen, and revitalise your hair.

The secret? Pick the timing that fits your lifestyle, stick with it, and let chia seeds quietly work their magic strand by strand.