Cellulite is not a disease or even an abnormality, but rather a description of the appearance of ordinary subcutaneous fat held in place by skin substructures that create a dimpled appearance. Cellulite is a normal condition experienced by over 90 percent of women, particularly when they get older and diminished estrogen causes changes in skin structure. Drinking coffee does not cause cellulite, but it may affect cellulite appearance.
Dehydration
Becoming dehydrated can contribute to the formation and appearance of cellulite, and staying hydrated can help prevent cellulite development. Folk wisdom has long held that the caffeine in coffee dehydrates you, and that you should drink extra water with every cup of coffee you consume. Research belies the myth and shows that coffee in moderate amounts of less than 4 cups a day has no diuretic or dehydrating effect, according to registered dietitian Katherine Zeratsky at MayoClinic.com. Coffee actually hydrates you just as well as water does when consumed in moderation, so drinking coffee as well as other fluids may help prevent cellulite development.
Waste
Cellulite becomes prominent when body fat cannot clear out all the waste that builds up in the fluid surrounding the fatty tissue. Alcohol, saturated fat, and caffeine from tea and coffee contribute to this waste buildup, and decreasing them in your diet may reduce the appearance of cellulite. Caffeine restricts blood flow, adding to the buildup of waste and making cellulite look worse. A healthy diet and plenty of water will help flush out excess waste buildup and prevent cellulite accumulation.
Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight is key to preventing or at least minimizing cellulite formation. While coffee itself does not directly cause cellulite formation, many specialty coffee drinks are high in calories and part of an unhealthy diet. Healthier coffee beverages include black coffee or coffee with only skim milk or nonfat non-dairy creamer. Water, plain or with a slice of lemon or lime, or unsweetened herbal teas are an even better choice to help obtain or maintain a healthy weight and reduce the development of cellulite. Wearing nonrestrictive clothing may also help reduce the appearance of cellulite by encouraging circulation and allowing excess fluid buildup to drain.
Topical Caffeine Applications
While drinking coffee is unlikely to have a substantial effect on cellulite, rubbing on topical creams that contain caffeine may temporarily reduce cellulite's dimpled appearance. Most cellulite creams contain caffeine, according to Vanderbilt University Health Psychology. The purveyors of these creams claim that caffeine applications encourage fat cells to release excess fluid stored within them. Some studies support this claim, and demonstrate that daily topical applications of caffeine-containing creams may temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite. Topical cellulite creams may also cause allergic reactions and rashes in some people, so use them with caution, testing out a small patch first. See your doctor before trying topical cellulite creams if you have any known skin disorders or allergies.
References
- Guild of Colonic Hydrotherapists; Fighting Cellulite; Michelle Ludick
- MayoClinic.com: Cellulite
- University of New Mexico; Cellulite: A Review of Its Anatomy, Physiology and Treatment; Len Kravitz, et al.; 2009
- Vanderbilt University Health Psychology; Too Good To Be True? Can Caffeine Really Get Rid of Cellulite?; Minette Boesel, et al.; September 2006
- PubMed Health: Cellulite
- University of Florida Health Science Center News; Is Cellulite Here to Stay?; Ann Griswold; August 2009
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