This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
Under eye bags are a fact of life — they can be caused by a variety of factors and are as natural as sunshine. But that doesn’t mean you are always up for embracing yours. If you’ve noticed that your under-eye area is puffier than usual and want to address it in a natural way, there are a few tricks that experts say can help. We spoke with experts to get to the bottom of why under-eye bags happen and the surprising ingredient that can be added to your water that can help reduce this fluid buildup.
Before addressing your under-eye concerns, it’s worth getting a handle on why the area may be puffy.
“As we age, the tissues of the face thin and lose elasticity,” says Optometrist Dr Leigh Plowman, founder Dry Eye Directory. “Fat can shift forward into the lower eyelids on the aging face. This causes the skin to look puffy and swollen.”
According to Plowman, there are a few natural steps you can take to reduce under-eye bags that include:
Salt intake can cause fluid retention under the eyes. So keep drinking plenty of water during the day.
Inflammation is a common cause of under eye bags. Blood vessels can become leaky and cause fluid accumulation.
Applying a cool tea bag (caffeinated) under the eyes can help to constrict blood vessels and reduce leakage.
Turmeric (or cucurmin specifically) may be a useful anti-inflammatory supplement to the diet. Recently nano-formulations can help improve curcumin's availability for the body to absorb.
Drinking green tea can also have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects
Cool compresses can also help improve symptoms of under eye bags.
And, in addition to taking these steps, there’s a completely natural ingredient that you can add to your water that may make a big difference.
Parsley
What’s the unlikely under-eye bag hero that you might have in your fridge right now? Parsley.
“The one ingredient that I would recommend you to include in your diet for reducing dark circles and puffy eyes is Parsley,” says Sameer Jafri, President/COO of Avive. “Parsley, when included in your diet, helps your kidney in flushing out excessive fluids from your body. Parsley is rich in nutrients like carotenoids containing beta carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin that help in protecting your eyes.”
To easily consume parsley on a daily basis, Jafri suggests soaking a handful of parsley in a glass of water overnight. In the morning, drain the parsley from the water and add juice of half a lemon to that water. Consume this drink every morning to reduce puffiness and dark circles around the eyes.
“Include them in your salads and soups and enjoy a refreshing flavor,” Jafri says. “Including parsley regularly in your meals helps in reducing puffy eyes and dark circles.”
Under-eye bags are usually 100 percent normal. But Plowman reminds us that there are times when a doctor’s intervention is recommended:
*When one eye bulges out more than the other
*When one eye is sore, red or watery
*When one eye feels hot or painful to look in certain positions
In all other circumstances, take to your pantry and fridge and include natural supplements that can make a difference.
