Do Salty Foods Really Cause Puffy Eyes?

Having a bit of puffiness around your eyes after watching a sad movie or staying up a few hours past your bedtime is completely normal. But if your eyes frequently look puffy — even when you’re not crying or engaging in bedtime procrastination — you may want to take a look at your diet. 

Puffy eyes develop when your body retains more fluid than it should, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Lots of factors can cause or contribute to fluid retention, but consuming lots of sodium (in other words, salt) is among the most common causes. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends adults consume no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day. While that may sound like a lot, it’s only about a teaspoon’s worth of table salt. Even if you make an effort to keep your hands off the salt shaker, it’s easy to exceed your daily allowance with a single meal. This is especially true for those who eat lots of packaged foods, as these tend to be significantly higher in sodium than fresh foods or home-cooked meals. A single packet of instant ramen, for example, can have more than 2,000 milligrams of sodium. 

If you do end up consuming more salt than you’d intended at mealtime, there are a few things you can do to help keep puffiness at bay. First, fill up your water bottle: Staying adequately hydrated can help “flush out” excess sodium and prevent you from becoming dehydrated. Engaging in a sweaty workout can help, too. If, on the other hand, the puffiness has already set in, try giving yourself a gentle eye area massage to help promote drainage. You can use your fingers, but for a little extra self-care, try swapping your eye cream for one with a roller applicator. If you need a recommendation, we’re partial to Murad Targeted Eye Depuffer With Peptides.