India, July 15 -- Want a hair colour refresh without chemicals? Beetroot's got your back - and your roots. Beyond its health perks - from gut health to anaemia prevention - this crimson superfood is also gaining fame as a natural hair dye. Packed with nutrients and pigment, beetroot gives a subtle reddish hue to grey strands and nourishes your mane while doing it. Bonus: you can skip the salon - this one's a DIY. Before the 'how' of it all, here's a look at why you can opt for this DIY solution to tame your mane. Beetroot boosts scalp circulation and delivers oxygen to hair follicles. "Better blood flow means better nourishment, which helps people struggling with slow-growing or thinning hair," says aesthetic physician and cosmetologist Dr Karuna Malhotra. Iron and folate in beetroot help combat anaemia-related hair loss - a common concern among women. According to the USDA, 100g of beet contains 0.8mg iron and 109mcg folate. Its antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties can reduce flakiness when used as a rinse or hair mask, as per a study in the Research Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. Low iron, folate, and selenium levels are linked to premature greying, suggests a study in Dermatology and Therapy. Beetroot contains all three. "It also nourishes the scalp and adds natural shine," Dr Malhotra adds. Beetroot adds a soft red or burgundy tint that pops under sunlight. "Use beetroot for hair - it not only colours, but conditions and nourishes too," says Dr Malhotra. But don't go overboard. Beetroot can stain the skin or clothes, and cause dryness if used too frequently. "Always perform a patch test and use the treatments in moderation to avoid adverse effects," she advises. For more such stories, visit healthshots.com...