Can Diet Soda Cause Cellulite?

Cellulite production has long been a problem for women and a subject of curiosity for healthcare providers. The exact mechanisms of the appearance of cellulite are still unknown to this day. However, there are contributing factors thought to cause cellulite and one of which is diet soda.

So can diet soda cause cellulite? Diet soda is a drink that mimics the taste of soft drinks by using artificial sweeteners. Diet soda on its own doesn't cause the appearance of cellulite. However, it's junk food that contributes to the deposition of fat cells in areas prone to cellulite such as hips and buttocks.

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Difference Between Regular And Diet Soda

Regular soda and diet soda both contain phosphoric acid, "natural flavors", caffeine, and carbonated water. The only difference between the two is that diet soda uses alternative sweeteners.

A few of these artificial sweeteners are aspartame, acesulfame potassium, sucralose, and stevia, which are put in diet soda instead of high fructose corn syrup or sucrose. These alternative sweeteners offer the benefit of calorie reduction since they're considered as "non-nutritive" and offer little to no energy when consumed.

How Diet Soda Causes Cellulite

Poor hydration is one of the reasons why diet soda causes cellulite. Specifically, substituting water with diet soda as a form of beverage causes dehydration, because caffeine present in the diet soda causes dehydration. This, in turn, increases the likelihood that cellulite may be more visible.

Moreover, weight gain is also a risk posed by diet soda when those who consume them are under the impression that the calories saved from the diet soda may be substituted with eating high-calorie meals, leading to overconsumption of calories. In thinking of weight gain and cellulite, it's always important to remember that excess weight is contributory to the appearance of cellulite.

Other Foods That May Cause Cellulite

Although genetics play a role in the appearance of cellulite, nutrition and lifestyle also are contributory factors in getting cellulite. Aside from diet soda, there are still other foods that may cause cellulite such as the following:

Processed meats and cheeses - Processed meats and cheeses contain high sodium content, which results in bloating and water retention, leading to the more defined appearance of cellulite.
Canned goods - Canned goods are also loaded with salt that is used to preserve them. Similar to processed meats and cheeses, bloating and water retention may also be brought by these canned goods, leading to more visible dimpling of the skin.
Pizza - Pizza is a rich source of unhealthy, saturated fats that cause poor blood flow and poor oxygenation. This causes weakening of the connective tissue, leading to the more pronounced appearance of cellulite.
Refined carbs - Refined carbohydrates such as foods made of white flour are rich sources of carbohydrates that are converted to sugar and then to glucose. This results in glycation which damages the connective tissues of the skin, leading to the exacerbation of the appearance of cellulite.
Sugary snacks and beverages - Sugary snacks and beverages provide empty calories that contribute to weight gain without contributing to the nutritional requirements of the body. Similar to refined carbs, sugary snacks and beverages also induce glycation of the connective tissues of the skin, leading to the worsening of cellulite.

Cellulite Prevention Tips

Exercise regularly - Exercise is a good way to lose excess weight and convert your fat cells into muscles. It also helps tighten the sagging skin in cellulite-prone areas. Exercise programs that are good to follow for this purpose include aerobic exercises and strength training. Moreover, in cases when you're too busy to exercise, you may increase your physical activity level by involving yourself in leisure-time physical activity that you may enjoy.
Eat healthily - Eating a balanced diet helps in providing the body with nutrients necessary to fight against cellulite, such as amino acids from protein. Moreover, while consumption of plant-based products doesn't always mean that you're following a healthy diet, it still significantly reduces caloric intake. This reduced caloric intake helps in weight loss, leading to an improvement in the appearance of cellulite.
Maintain proper hydration - The benefits of water as an ideal drink can't be emphasized more. Drinking plenty of water can help improve the appearance of cellulite by helping the skin appear tighter and more supple. A well-hydrated skin also helps avoid imperfections such as wrinkles, lines, and cellulite from appearing.
Take care of your skin - Following a sound daily skincare regimen is a good way to maintain the appearance of skin in its best form. Cleaning the skin helps remove dirt, debris, and infections, moisturizing helps lock moisture, and putting on sunscreen helps prevent the sun from damaging the skin.

Cellulite Remedies

The fight against cellulite has long been a subject of interest of many human studies because of the clamor for its solution. As such, several cellulite remedies have been considered and developed, although most of them have effects that aren't long-lasting.

1) Home remedies

Homemade cosmetics with coffee scrub and oil

Home remedies are mostly lacking in scientific evidence to back up their efficacy, although it won't hurt to follow them as an additive to complement your overall healthier lifestyle change. They're also an easy-to-follow and budget-friendly way to help improve the appearance of your skin.

Undergoing a deep massage - Deep massages don't offer a permanent solution to cellulite. However, they may temporarily improve the appearance of cellulite through inflammation and swelling that result from deep massage.
Dry brushing - Dry brushing is a technique in which bristles are massaged in a circular motion in the areas of concern. The inflammation caused by this technique is considered to be a good way to get better blood flow in the blood vessels and detoxify cellulite-causing toxins, thus producing improved cellulite appearance albeit just temporarily.
Coffee grounds - Caffeine in the coffee grounds also allegedly cause better lymph and blood flow so coffee grounds are considered to be good exfoliants, left in the skin for 10 minutes before rinsing off. This improved blood flow, like dry brushing, may help improve the appearance of cellulite, although not in the long term.
Apple cider vinegar - Consuming 1 tablespoon of diluted apple cider vinegar 3 times a day is said to help against weight gain. Alternatively, applying diluted apple cider vinegar to your skin may also help improve its appearance, thereby also improving the appearance of cellulite.

2) Medical procedures

Close up photo of cryolipolysis fat treatment done in a modern spa salon

Medical procedures for cellulite removal may be done by a board-certified dermatologist or a plastic surgeon. Choosing the best option is a matter of informed choice through the guidance of your healthcare provider and in accordance with your personal preference.

Cryolipolysis - Cryolipolysis involves the freezing of fat cells beneath the skin, causing them to rupture and be reabsorbed in the body. It's designed to remove excess fat that doesn't respond to diet and exercise and may be used to improve the appearance of cellulite, although more treatments and waiting time (3 to 4 months) should be done before results may be seen.
Ultrasound - Ultrasound involves the delivery of sound waves to remove fat and is best complemented with other cellulite treatments for better results. 3 to 4 months of waiting time is also done before results are seen.
Acoustic wave therapy - Acoustic wave therapy involves the delivery of vibration to the connective tissue of the body to stimulate the production of collagen fibers which tightens skin.
Laser and radiofrequency treatments - These treatments involve the use of heat energy from laser or radiofrequency to treat cellulite by breaking up the tough bands under the skin that developed due to the deposition of fat cells in cellulite-prone areas.
Vacuum-assisted precise tissue release - Improvement in the appearance of dimpled skin is done by cutting the tough bands that develop upon fat cell deposition. Results may be seen for up to 3 years.
Carboxytherapy - Administration of carbon dioxide beneath the skin helps reduce the appearance of cellulite by increasing the blood flow in the targeted areas. 7 to 10 treatments are needed to see the full results of this treatment.

3) QWO Cellulite Injections

The best anti-cellulite therapy available is the QWO cellulite injections, an FDA-approved therapy with proven efficacy and safety profiles. With its collagen-degrading enzymes sourced from Clostridium histolyticum, the tension-forming septae are dissolved to reduce the dimpling in the skin. The connective tissue components such as elastin and collagen are also stimulated to be produced, resulting in smoother skin.

The Best Aesthetic Treatments At Cellulite Treatment Center Of NJ

Diet soda differs from regular soda through its use of artificial sweetener aspartame. It's still a source of carbohydrate that may bring the dimpled appearance of the skin because of glycation brought by the sugar that impairs collagen production.