A huge number of women struggle with cellulite. And most of them do not know the reasons for its occurrence.
Low physical activity, insufficient fluid intake and poor diet are just some of the reasons.
Is there an anti-cellulite diet? Let's try to find answers in this article.
What is cellulite
Cellulite, also called lipodystrophy, is a non-inflammatory condition associated with abnormal distribution of fat cells, resulting in an uneven skin texture.
Lipodystrophy affects all layers of the skin – the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissue. It is most common in pregnant women, adolescence, during the menstrual cycle and in women using oral contraceptives.
It is estimated that about 85-90% of women worldwide struggle with cellulite. It is most often found around the thighs, buttocks and stomach.
In some people, in addition to the characteristic changes in skin structure, micro varicose veins and stretch marks can be noticed.
This is mainly due to a violation of the elasticity of the skin. In addition, cellulite can be accompanied by a feeling of tightness of the skin, spasms and mild discomfort.
The most common cause of lipodystrophy is considered to be the influence of hormones. Estrogens, found mainly in women, affect blood vessels and cause them to dilate. Their excess increases the risk of cellulite.
Other causes of cellulite include poor diet, lack of physical activity and insufficient fluid intake.
Types of cellulite
Cellulite can be divided into water and fat. The classification depends on the progression of changes in the skin structure.
Water cellulite or hard cellulite - its presence can be initially noticed in the lower parts of the body, such as the calves and knees. The skin in these areas is very stretched and deforms under pressure.
It can often be mistaken for muscle tissue. This type is easy to eliminate, it is enough to increase physical activity and introduce healthy eating habits.
Fatty cellulite or soft cellulite is a type of lipodystrophy that is most often fought by people with excess body weight. It is mainly localized on the buttocks and thighs. A characteristic feature is the uneven structure of the skin, changes occur in its deeper layers.
Is there an anti-cellulite diet?
An unhealthy lifestyle plays a major role in the formation of cellulite, but there is no anti-cellulite diet.
The way a person eats does not have a significant effect on the secretion of sex hormones. As was said earlier, it is estrogens that play a key role in the development of lipodystrophy.
However, this does not mean that dietary changes cannot improve skin texture. Following certain principles of healthy eating combined with physical activity can bring satisfactory results in the fight against cellulite. However, there are no specific dietary recommendations that will solve this problem.
Tips for people with cellulite
Limit your salt intake
Salt, especially sodium, has a significant impact on the development of edema. This is due to its effect on water management. In excessive quantities, it leads to water retention, which in turn leads to the formation of edema.
One way to reduce your salt intake is to not add enough salt to your food on your plate. Putting down your salt shaker is a good idea to replace salt with fresh herbs and spices.
Nowadays, adding salt to foods is very common and can be found mainly in sausages, bread, cheese and canned goods.
By eliminating fast food from your menu, you can also significantly reduce the intake of salt in your diet. Pay attention to the information contained on the labels.
Limit your intake of simple sugars
Excessive consumption of simple sugars leads to accumulation of fat in the body. This, in turn, increases the risk of developing or worsening cellulite.
The main source of simple sugars in the diet are sweets - cookies, cakes, chocolates, sweet bars and colorful drinks.
Reducing or eliminating them completely will have a positive effect on maintaining a healthy body weight.
Limit your intake of saturated fats
Saturated fatty acids not only have a negative effect on the cardiovascular system, but can also lead to an increase in the amount of fat in the body. Their main sources in food are fatty meat, cream, lard, cheese and sweets.
Increasing the consumption of these products will lead to weight gain. It is recommended to choose lean meats (chicken and turkey), limit the intake of animal fats and sweets.
The right choice of products will help maintain a healthy skin structure and prevent the aggravation of the lipodystrophy process.
Avoid stimulants
It is worth giving up alcohol and cigarettes, and this applies not only to people with cellulite. Drinks with a high alcohol content can disrupt the water balance in the body.
This leads to water retention, which results in uneven skin texture.
Drink 2-2.5 liters of water
Adequate hydration of the body is important both in preventing cellulite and in combating this problem. The recommended fluid intake for women is 2 liters, and for men – 2.5 liters.
Instead of sweet and colorful drinks, choose water, preferably medium or highly mineralized. Adequate hydration of the body reduces swelling and improves the functioning of the circulatory system.
Be physically active
The combination of a healthy and balanced diet with physical activity significantly reduces the risk of cellulite and helps combat this problem. The form of exercise should correspond to the state of health. This can be walking, Nordic walking, jogging, swimming or strength training.
People who have not previously been involved in physical activity should start exercising gradually, this will prevent overloading the body.
Don't forget about regeneration
Rest and regeneration reduce the risk of cellulite and help get rid of it. It is worth avoiding prolonged sitting and standing. Adequate sleep and limiting exposure to stressors significantly contribute to the prevention of lipodystrophy.
Resume
The most common cause of cellulite is hormones and unfortunately, diet will not have a significant effect on their secretion.
However, it is recommended to change eating habits for preventive purposes as well as for the treatment of lipodystrophy.
