Curious about juicing for cellulite? We feel you. After all, most of us with cellulite will try almost anything that will improve the appearance of the unpleasant phenomenon.
Because, well, Cellulite. What a word. It sounds so innocent and people generally believe it’s pretty much harmless but other people – like those of us who actually have cellulite – know better.
Does Juicing for Cellulite Work?
Sure, cellulite is not life-threatening and yes, there are worse things. But cellulite is amongst those little life inconveniences that can really put a damper on your day. It’s just not a pleasant feeling to flip into a pair of shorts and come face-to-face with a rippling collection of bumpy fat piled up beneath your skin, you know?
In fact, the appearance of cellulite is so displeasing to people that there’s a huge industry built around it. Just do a quick Google search and you’ll find countless pharmaceutical products, treatments and miracle cures. They all make big claims but the truth is there aren’t really any medicines or special creams that are going to make cellulite go away.
However, there are studies that show regular exercise and proper diet can naturally reduce the development of cellulite in the body. And juicing is obviously a great option since it allows you to effortlessly incorporate the “proper diet” component into your daily life.
On that note, this post is for all the juicers out there who’re struggling with cellulite. It can be on your stomach, buttocks, or like me – your thighs. Hopefully, you’ll find some solace in knowing that cellulite is not a sign of being overweight and that tons of people have it, even those with near-ideal weight and body mass indices. And even greater solace is knowing that there are foods – both juiceable and not – that are ideal for fighting cellulite.
But before we get to the best juicing ingredients to fend off cellulite, here are some useful facts about this ripply monster that you might find interesting…
Fun Facts About Cellulite
If you have cellulite, you might be able to push some of the blame on your parents and family. Cellulite is basically hereditary and one of the best ways to know if you’re inherently predisposed to it is by checking if any of your family members, especially the female members, have it. If your mom, aunt or sister has cellulite, chances are you could have it in the long run as well.
Medical research reveals that cellulite predominantly forms in and around areas in the body that don’t get as much physical activity and blood circulation. Recommended exercise routines that help prevent and control the development of cellulite include swimming, brisk walking and running.
Although shedding excess pounds can play a significant role in reducing the body fats that can cause cellulite, overdoing it can easily lead to the exact opposite. You see, the brain sends danger signals all over the body when it senses that it’s losing a considerable amount of weight in a short period of time. This disrupts the normal hormone levels and can set off the onset of cellulite development.
Loading up on too much junk food releases a lot of artificial starches as well as refined salts and sugars in the body. Besides spiking cholesterol, sodium and blood pressure levels, these elements also abnormally boosts the body’s fat production, which eventually leads to the production of cellulite.
Being constantly exposed to harmful toxins can also raise your chances of having cellulite since they alter your body’s ability to break down proteins and other essential nutrients. Remarkably, the energy acquired from breaking them down is subsequently used by the body to get rid of unwanted fats. These toxins are commonly found in cigarette smoke, factory emissions, pesticides and illegal drugs.
And this one’s a no-brainer: people who have sedentary lifestyles are more susceptible to cellulite compared to individuals who are fairly active since there’s less blood circulation in their bodies. Apart from getting cellulite, people who are inclined to sit all day watching TV or perhaps bound to their desks checking emails are also at risk of developing potentially serious health problems sooner or later like cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and stroke.
Juicing for Cellulite: 5 Best Fruits and Vegetables
Now we’ve got that covered, tossing the following fruits and vegetables in your juicer will help you prevent and control cellulite. Combined with proper diet and regular exercise, you won’t have to worry about getting cottage cheese thighs or orange peel skin anytime soon.
Chili Peppers
The active ingredient in chili peppers called capsaicin is the component responsible for that spicy buzz whenever you bite into a little pepper. The thing about this spicy component is that it also optimizes your body’s metabolism and even perks up blood circulation, which is an important factor in getting rid of surplus body fats that can transform into cellulite.
So it goes without saying that this is an essential ingredient when juicing for cellulite.
Just remember to get rid of the seeds and the inner membrane when you use chili peppers for juicing to get all of the flavor, but not the scorching, burning aftertaste. Cayenne pepper works just as fine, too.
Broccoli
Broccoli is simply loaded with a bevy of essential nutrients that help keep cellulite at bay. The most prominent among these is alpha lipoic acid (ALA), a natural chemical that prevents collagens from solidifying in the connective tissues, which is one of the primary causes of cellulite.
Don’t love broccoli juice? You can also get a dose of ALAs from yams, spinach, yeast, tomatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots, and beets.
Oranges
Oranges contain high amounts of methoxylated bioflavonoids. These are natural chemicals that help fix imbalances in cell development and fat distribution, which can eventually lead to cellulite development one day if not taken care of properly. Adding oranges in your juicing lineup also gives a uniquely pleasant citrusy tang.
Blueberries
The antioxidants in blueberries do not just boost your immune system, but also improves the production and dissemination of collagen in the body. Apart from helping distribute fats so they won’t build up only in one general area leading to unsightly dimpling, these antioxidants also contribute in the breaking down of the surplus fat in the connective tissues.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is such a convenient supplement to add into your juices for an extra boost and that yummy, sour zing. And it’s an especially good addition when you’re juicing for cellulite. This healthy vinegar is packed with components that easily help in the prevention and control of cellulite. Its high levels of calcium, magnesium and potassium not only help in flushing out harmful toxins, but also contribute in the regulation of estrogen in women’s bodies. A sudden sharp climb in estrogen levels is one of the most common signs of cellulite production.
Keep in mind to add only a teaspoon or so when integrating apple cider vinegar with your juice mix since its strong taste can easily overpower the whole thing. And always get the good stuff – the apple cider vinegar with “mother.”
Another tip: if you experience an acidic feeling in your stomach after ingesting apple cider vinegar, try adding a little aloe vera gel to your juice. It helps tremendously in combating any stomach blues from the apple cider vinegar.