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For most women (a whopping 90 percent), cellulite is a natural feature on our bodies — but that doesn’t keep us from wanting it to take a flying leap. It doesn’t matter if you are overweight, underweight, or are a celebrity paid lots to look a certain way in front of the camera — cellulite doesn’t discriminate. With that said, there are certain foods that are known for their abilities to prevent and reduce cellulite. There may be no magic bullets for cellulite, but the mere possibility that these healthy foods can help (and it doesn’t hurt that they contain important vitamins and nutrients) makes them worth a try.
But first, the basics. Cellulite is the dimpled skin you usually see around the thighs, buttocks, arms, and abdomen. It occurs when a layer of fat beneath the skin pushes up against connective tissue and bulges, which gives cellulite its chunky appearance. The reason why women are more prone to having cellulite has everything to do with our hormones. The closer we get to menopause, the less estrogen our bodies have — and the less estrogen we have, the more changes we experience in our blood supply and circulation and the amount of collagen we produce. And women’s biology and the way our fat cells are arranged differently under our skin all contribute to the reason why our legs may have cellulite on them at age 25, while our brothers, fathers, and boyfriends can celebrate their 80th birthdays with smooth thighs.
In addition to aging, genetics is a major factor in cellulite production, as is having an inactive lifestyle, not exercising, lifestyle choices (including smoking) and eating a diet high in sugar and low in the essential vitamins and antioxidants your body needs. Adding these healthy foods to your diet is one way to attack cellulite and prevent it.
1) Blueberries
Blueberries are an antioxidant-rich food (along with blackberries) that help create new skin tissue and collagen, which improves your skin’s elasticity and makes it appear smoother and healthier. The antioxidants found in these dark berries may even have a hand in breaking down fat that isn’t attached to the connective tissue, thereby preventing cellulite from forming.
2) Dark Chocolate
Having a sliver of dark chocolate a few times each week may be the thing that satisfies your sweet tooth just enough to keep you from eating less healthy sugary snacks — which are no friend to your skin. But the antioxidants in dark chocolate can actually fat down the fat in cellulite and metabolize fat, while its caffeine content may help make skin look smoother. Not bad for a delish dessert!
3) Green Tea
Hydration is key for treating and preventing cellulite. Green tea isn’t just the perfect drink to keep your skin moisturized, it’s also a thermogenic, which means it helps assist in the metabolism of fat cells. The better your metabolism is working and the more fat you’re burning, the less likely it is that you will develop pockets of cellulite.
4) Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of vitamin B6, which helps strengthen connective tissue and can prevent cellulite from forming by metabolizing fats and proteins. These nutritious seeds also contain zinc and vitamin E (great for skin) and can reduce bloating.
