Foods That Cause Dark Circles
Dark circles under your eyes are generally symmetrical and accompanied by swelling. These circles are found on men, women and children and are caused by multiple factors, including heredity and age. Although these factors are out of your hands, some factors that lead to dark circles—such as diet—are not.
Dark circles under your eyes are generally symmetrical and accompanied by swelling. These circles are found on men, women and children and are caused by multiple factors, including heredity and age. Although these factors are out of your hands, some factors that lead to dark circles—such as diet—are not. Foods cannot be a complete cure or culprit, but cutting out foods that contribute to your dark circles might help in reducing their appearance.
Exhaustion and Caffeine-Rich Foods
Exhaustion is another cause of dark circles. Exhaustion can cause your skin to become pale, which makes the blood vessels underneath the thin skin underneath your eyes more visible. If you drink too much caffeine, it might cause exhaustion because of stimulation of your hormonal glands, says the Caring Medical website. Diet sodas are also to be avoided, as the aspartame contained in the soft drink can cause exhaustion in the long-term, the site says. To remedy this, try swapping sodas and other caffeine-filled products such as coffee, black tea and chocolate for water or non-caffeinated teas.
Sodium- and Potassium-Rich Foods
Sodium, in excess, can cause the swelling accompanied by dark circles. This is because sodium, which salt contains, causes water retention in the body, including the area around your eyes. Consume only moderate amounts of salt to help reduce the puffiness around your eyes. This holds true for potassium as well. Potassium, in moderate amounts, might help eliminate the puffiness that sodium lends to your dark circles. However, in excessive amounts, potassium can actually cause the circles. High-potassium foods include turkey, soybeans, peanut butter, yogurt and milk. Oranges, tomatoes and sweet potatoes also have high levels.
Allergy-Causing Foods
Dark circles might a sign that you are experiencing sensitivity or an allergic reaction to a certain food. The foods that cause these reactions range from person to person, but some of the most allergenic foods are chocolate, peas, yeast, citrus fruits, mustard and sugar, says the Ask Dr. Sears website. In addition, 90 percent of the food allergies in children come from a small list of foods, including egg whites, peanuts, soy and wheat, says the site. Try trading a highly allergenic food for less allergenic foods, such as apples, lettuce, grapes, rice, broccoli and honey.