Stay hydrated and beat cellulite

Water is one of the cornerstones of any anti-cellulite diet as it helps flush out toxins, combats water retention and aids in weight loss. Drinking water throughout the day and eating a variety of foods that have naturally high moisture content can help skin plump up and stay hydrated, which will mask the appearance of cellulite.
Studies have shown that regulating the body’s salt intake assists in achieving a balanced diet and optimal health. Reducing the consumption of fat and salt, and increasing water intake, can help reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Most people know that salt causes fluid retention yet we forget that this is major cause of the appearance of cellulite. When the salt intake in the diet is high, your body will retain excess fluids that cause cellulite to become more pronounced. A reduction of cellulite can be obtained over time with a low sodium, low fat diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle. This means, steering clear of high sodium foods, such as potato chips, pickles, soy sauce, processed meats, and some bottled mineral water.


Here’s what you can do:
• Minimise your sugar intake – replace soft drinks, fruit juices, tea and coffee with water, or a low sodium water.
• Replace normal salt with low sodium/high potassium salt.
• Eat plenty of high-moisture foods that are full of vitamins and minerals, such as cantaloupe, watermelon, grapes, cucumbers and leafy greens.
5 facts about water consumption
1. Eight glasses a day? It depends on your physique and the type of work you do, if you are essentially a sedentary worker, you don’t need to drink as much as someone who has a field job. Water includes all fluids such as tea, coffee and juice. Average volume? Two litres of water a day. In summer, increase that by half a litre.
2. When there is not enough water in your system, blood runs thick and puts pressure on the heart. We have 5 litres of blood in our body and we need water to keep it flowing smoothly.
3. By the time we start to feel thirsty, 20 to 30 per cent of the volume of water in our body has already been lost. (About 70 per cent of our body weight is water). As you dehydrate, the electrolytes start drying up and energy loss begins.
4. The less water you drink, the more the uric acid build-up. Over time, it encourages kidney stones to form.
5. Drinking too much water on the other hand can lead to a condition called “hyponatraemia” or water intoxication. This dilutes sodium content in your blood and also forces the heart to deal with extra volume of fluids. How do you know you have drunk too much water? Signs include nausea, muscle cramps, disorientation.