Unfortunately cellulite affects the majority of women and is largely influenced by genetics, hormones and age, all of which are outside our control. This condition, which is far more common in women than men, is caused by fatty deposits being squeezed between strong collagen fibers that are attached to muscle, leading to the orange peel-like dimpling effect. Cellulite is not confined to overweight women either, even the very thin can suffer from this condition.
There are numerous creams, treatments, diets and exercise programs that claim to decrease cellulite or improve its appearance, however, few of these treatments have any scientific evidence to support them and women should be wary of spending large amounts of money on treatments that are unlikely to be successful.
In terms of diet and exercise, there is no miracle cure for cellulite. Although there are a few suggestions to decrease the appearance, it is really no more than simply eating a healthy diet and doing plenty of exercise.
The following tips may help to minimize the appearance of cellulite; however they are by no means a definitive solution. Whilst there is a chance these techniques will reduce the appearance of cellulite, there is no doubt that all of these changes can be done cheaply and will generally benefit your health in other ways too.
Drink more water
Staying well hydrated means that the skin is also hydrated and plump, which can lessen the appearance of cellulite. People who drink more water also tend to have higher metabolic rates and may therefore burn more fat as well, possibly including some of the fat that is contributing to cellulite. Some claim that drinking more water also helps eliminate toxins from the body that cause cellulite, however there is no evidence that cellulite is caused by toxins in the first place.
Build muscle
Toning your body and replacing fat with muscle can be a good way to reduce cellulite. Muscle cells are not soft like fat and so are not squashed and squeezed in the same way to produce cellulite.
Lifting weights or incorporating resistance training into your work outs is a great way to improve the appearance of your body by minimizing the appearance of cellulite and giving you a more toned physique.
Eat more good fats
Unsaturated fatty acids such as those found in oily fish, nuts, eggs, soy and olive oil are all great for the skin. Including these types of foods in your diet can lead to plumper skin that is less prone to dryness, which in turn can reduce the appearance of cellulite.
These fats are also great for your heart health and have been suggested to be beneficial in maintaining a healthy weight when eaten in moderate quantities. See also: 10 foods that fight cellulite
Lose weight
Although cellulite is not a problem that is only associated with being overweight and it is perfectly possible for very thin people to have it, in some cases weight loss has been found to reduce the appearance of this condition.
Reducing body fat and therefore the amount of fat that is being pushed to the surface of the skin potentially may reduce the appearance.
Eat for healthier skin
Other foods that promote good skin health may also help reduce the appearance of cellulite. It is believed by some that a diet rich in anti-oxidants may be beneficial for the skin and may also have a role in preventing cellulite.
Fruit and vegetables, particularly berries, green leafy vegetables, oranges, mangoes and tomatoes are high in antioxidants and should be part of a healthy balanced diet. In general, a diet rich in fruit and vegetables is thought to play a role in reduction of numerous lifestyle diseases, so there is no disadvantage of consuming these foods.
Work out
Cardio activity helps to burn calories and fat, which in turn may reduce the fat deposits that are causing cellulite. Physical activity also offers numerous other health benefits, so getting active is likely to be good for you on more than one count. Exercise also improves circulation and tones the affected areas which can minimize the appearance of cellulite.
Eat less carbs
There is some suggestion that a very high carbohydrate diet may contribute to the formation of cellulite, however there is little scientific evidence to support this. Eating a larger proportion of protein and reducing carbohydrates a little may lead to greater satiety and therefore a lower calorie intake resulting in weight loss.
Avoid Yo-Yo dieting
Repeated weight loss and regain leads to stretching of the skin which can make cellulite appear more pronounced.
References used in this article
