Cellulite affects the best of us, no matter our age or size. While most us have tried everything from cellulite lotions and creams to minor cosmetic surgery and nothing seems to work: maybe its time to improve our diets.
So, can diet get rid of cellulite? The answer is yes, Dr. Marilyn Glenville the author of Natural Alternatives to sugar notes that a healthy diet will ensure your body is equipped with antioxidants, protective nutrients as well as promote hormonal balance: which are essential in battling free radicals and tissue damage that are responsible for causing cellulite.
What is cellulite
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Cellulite is simply the dimpling and formation of lumps on the skin which is commonly found around the buttocks, thighs, stomach, and arms.
While causes of cellulite are still unknown, the problem is normally associated with genetic, hormonal, age, diet and lifestyle factors as well as gender.
Generally, it forms when fat cells beneath the skin expand and then push against the connective tissue which results in the uneven surface of the skin.
However, developing a habit of consuming the right foods and drinks can help you reduce the appearance of cellulite. Before we look at some foods that will help fight it, here are some of the foods that are known to promote cellulite and must be avoided.
Foods that can promote it
- Processed meat
- Cheese including cottage cheese
- Soups that are canned
- Sweetened beverages like soda
- Barbeque sauce
- Pizza
- Margarine and spreading butter
- Soy sauce
- White bread
- Doritos
- Refined carbohydrates
Cellulite diet
Eating the right kind of foods can really help you get a firmer, leaner and cellulite free body. According to Dr. Marilyn, avoiding foods such as caffeine, foods rich in trans fats (cakes), saturated fats (dairy), sugar, salt and processed or refined foods (due to their affinity to trigger hormonal imbalances) which promotes its formation.
Additionally, she suggests consumption of essential fatty acids to improve tissue-cell hydration thus eliminating the appearance of cellulite. Here are some of the valuable foods you should consider:
1. Antioxidants
Antioxidants are vital in the diet for cleansing and eliminating free radical damage on the skin. According to info aging org “Free radicals are basically unstable atoms with an unpaired electron-which need to snatch another electron in order to become stable”.
Okay, bet you are thinking free radicals are bad for our body but in the real sense they are just by-products of metabolism in cells which are vital biological processes in the body.
However, over-accumulation of free radicals causes a chain reaction of damage since the excess free radicals create unstable atoms which need to seize electrons from other atoms in order to become stable.
Typically, the free radicals oxidize cells thus causing circulation destruction which promotes the appearance of cellulite.
2. Fruits and vegetables
- Berries: Raspberries, blueberries or blackberries are good anti-cellulite fruits to keep the orange peel skin at bay by breaking down fat that is attached to the connective tissue.
- Watermelon: the presence of lycopene-an effective antioxidant not only reduces cellulite but also promotes proper blood circulation as well as offer protection against heart disease.
- Tomatoes: other than being rich in vitamin c, which promotes the production of collagen that ensures the skin remains firm and taut, tomatoes are also rich in lycopene which acts as an antioxidant.
- Pineapples and papaya: these two fruits are rich in cellulite battling enzymes as well as bromelain and papain digestive enzymes respectively that help in the breakdown of proteins thus preventing the formation of this condition.
- Spinach: this green leafy vegetable is rich in vitamin A which promotes the production of collagen-that is responsible for making the skin plump, smooth and taut.
- Broccoli: rich in alpha lipoic acid which inhibits collagen from becoming hard and causing cellulite.
- Additional fruits and vegetables to try out include cabbage, red kales, pomegranate, beetroot, oranges, pink grapefruit, purple sweet potatoes, bananas, and lemons.
3. Proteins
In order to sustain a healthy connective tissue and promote collagen production, it’s important to include sufficient amino acids and protein. Foods such as
- gelatin
- Bone Broth
- Nuts
- Poultry
- Fish: in addition to being rich in protein, oily fish are rich in omega 3 fatty acids that stimulate the metabolism of fat including that of cellulite.
4. Whole grains
Carbs are important in our diets, okay while high carb diets are detrimental to our health, it’s important to make sure that you are taking just the appropriate quantities and with a low GI.
Brown pasta, oats, legumes, sweet potatoes and brown rice are good examples of low GI carbohydrates, which are high in anti-oxidants that fight cellulite-causing toxins.
5. Beverages
Beverages that contain the active ingredient Epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG) such as green and herbal tea, stimulate metabolism by boosting the production of adrenaline thus increasing calories burn which stops the growth of fat cells that lead to cellulite notes Karlene Karst a registered nutritionist in Vancouver.
Water promotes the removal of toxins as well as their excess accumulation. Constantly flushing toxins out of your body ensures cellulite is also flushed out.
6. Spices
Since this condition is considered to be closely associated with poor blood circulation. Some spices improve blood circulation in the body system and vitalize the removal of toxins in the body which reduces cellulite formation. Some of the spices to try out include;
- Cinnamon
- Cumin
- Turmeric
- Coriander
- Chili and cayenne pepper are both rich in vitamin B6 which renews and strengthens connective tissue thus preventing the formation of dimples and lumps on the skin.
Additionally, according to the international journal of obesity spices such as paprika, red pepper powder, and chili powder contain capsaicin- an ingredient which causes people to feel full and hence eat less
Supplements
Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and glucosamine are good for preventing and eliminating cellulite, promote joint health, protect and regenerate connective tissue.
While vitamin C (found in oranges, kiwi, and strawberries)and vitamin E ( found in salmon, green leafy vegetables, and olives) are easily available in foods, glucosamine isn’t and therefore it must be supplemented at 1200mg daily.
Other vitamins that help to reduce cellulite include:
- Vitamin A-a fat-soluble vitamin which promotes the production of collagen. Easily available in carrots, spinach, pumpkin, and cantaloupe or in meat such as liver and beef as well as dairy products such as eggs and milk.
- Vitamin B-Complex: this is a combination of 10 different acids and vitamins. However, vitamin B2 is the most familiar when it comes to fighting cellulite since it acts as an oxidizing agent and promotes the synthesis of fats and protein. Commonly found in liver, eggs, cheese and leafy green vegetables.
References and sources
- https://www.infoaging.org/qa/free-radicals-bad-skin/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4229913/
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-HealthProfessional/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265748.php