Reduce Dark Under Eye Circles

Top 5 Foods to Reduce Dark Under Eye Circles

 

Chances are, if you’re over age 30, stressed, get little sleep, use the computer for prolonged periods of time and have an improper diet (unfortunately, that’s a lot of us), you have dark under eye circles. Also known as periorbital (around the eye socket) dark circles or periorbital hyperpigmentation, it’s a phenomenon that means the blood vessels and capillaries around the eyes have broken and are more noticeable. Sometimes jokingly referred to by many as “raccoon eyes,” the dark circles can even be hereditary, due to allergies or a symptom of a more serious underlying health problem like liver disease.

Instead of turning to creams which are likely laden with toxins that are bad for our bodies and for the environment, or even resorting to surgical procedures, adding the right foods to your diet is a better choice. Specific kinds of vegetables and fruits may actually help prevent the appearance of dark under eye circles in the first place or diminish the severity of existing ones.


NOTE: tip #8 in the video mentions supplements as a suggestion for reducing circles. Otherwise, everything else is in line with eating fruits and veggies, etc.

Best Foods to Help Reduce Under Eye Circles

Carrots: Of all foods, carrots have the highest amount of beta carotene, which has been found to help prevent dark under eye circles. It works because of our body’s ability to convert beta-carotene into vitamin A, which leads to healthier skin. Eating two to three servings of carrots daily is recommended.

Pumpkin Seeds: It’s been determined that many people with iron deficiencies are more prone to developing under eye circles. Amp up your iron intake naturally by eating pumpkin seeds, one of the top iron-rich foods. One ounce contains 23% of the daily recommended value.

Broccoli: High in vitamin K, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli help increase blood flow to the skin tissue around the eyes and therefore, reduce dark coloring in that area.

Cucumber: Eating foods high in sodium can cause water retention which can contribute to puffiness and also exacerbate dark circles. Cucumber flushes out additional water and is effective either ingested or used as a topical home remedy (soak juices of cucumber in a cotton ball and place on the affected area for a few minutes).

Black currant: Black currents contain anthocyanins, leading to increased optical nerve blood flow and the delivery of more oxygen to the area. Even adding frozen currents to smoothies, fruit mixtures and juices can help diminish the dark color.

Other Helpful Tips

• Limit caffeine and alcohol intake which can make the skin around the eyes thinner, showing dark coloring easier.
• Determine if you have allergies, which can contribute to dark circles.
• Try not to rub your eyes when they itch, which can cause the capillaries under your skin to break and cause discoloration.
• Refrain from too much time in the sun. The areas around the eyes are especially prone to discoloration from sun exposure and can lead to darkening.