Swollen eyes can be caused by kidney disease, allergies, insects… But if you don’t have those reasons and still frequently wake up with swollen eyes, it may be due to this unhealthy eating habit.
Eating too much salt
Salt is a seasoning that enhances the taste of food. But salt is the main reason why you have swollen and water-retaining face. The excess salt leads to water accumulation around the eyes after sleep, making your eyes puffy. This condition may gradually go away during the day but repeat the next day if you continue to have high-salt meals and drink little water. Vietnamese people are warned to have a diet with excessive salt compared to the normal recommended amount. The body only needs about 2g of sodium, equivalent to about 5g of sea salt. But in reality, we have many dishes with high salt content such as pickles, sauce, fish sauce…
Eating excessive starch
Starch comes from white rice, sweet potatoes, bread… and those are also common foods for Vietnamese people. A diet with too much starch can make the body secrete more insulin and sodium accumulation. Therefore, you should check your normal diet to see if you have consumed too much rice.
Protein deficiency
Protein is an essential nutrient group for energy production and cell regeneration. They contribute significantly to our activities. Protein deficiency can cause kidney and liver diseases leading to swelling in sensitive areas such as lips and eyelids. Therefore, you need to pay attention to the daily protein intake to prevent deficiencies.
Emergency measures when waking up with swollen eyes
No one wants to have swollen eyes when going out because it makes you tired, ugly, and bored. Sometimes swollen eyes can bother you because they can make others misunderstand that you are going through a bad mood. You can apply the following methods to deal with swollen eyes:
Cold compress: Take a few ice cubes and wrap them in a cotton towel, then apply around the eyes. Cold compress can help reduce swelling and puffiness faster.
Gentle eye massage: Wash your hands and use your fingertips to gently massage around the eye area to improve blood circulation and reduce swelling. Massage also helps you feel more comfortable and helps the eye area reduce dark circles.
Potato mask: Wash the potato and put it in the freezer for about 10 minutes, then slice it thinly and apply it to the eyes. Potatoes contain enzymes that help brighten the skin, reduce eye bags, and dark circles. You can gently move the potato slices evenly on the eyes for massage.