Drinking soda doesn't cause cellulite. In fact, most factors known to contribute to its development have nothing to do with diet. This isn't to say you shouldn't watch what you eat or drink, since body weight often influences the severity of cellulite. But your choice in beverage isn't going to cause --- or prevent, for that matter --- this dimpling of the skin.
Cellulite
Cellulite is just a fancy name for pockets of fat. With age, collagen fibers can weaken, affecting skin's elasticity and allowing fat to move closer to the surface of the body. This weakening, however, isn't uniform. Some collagen fibers remain taut, while others begin to stretch. As these fibers stretch, fat pushes up and forms a pocket of fat, thereby creating the dimpled appearance associated with cellulite. Soda isn't known to trigger the breakdown of collagen fibers, so it can't really contribute to the development of cellulite.
Factors
Besides age, genetics is the most significant factor contributing to cellulite. According to MayoClinic.com, cellulite is known to run in families. Even relatively thin people can experience dimpling of the skin along the thigh, buttocks and hips. You're also more apt to develop cellulite if you're female and older. Inactivity, stress, smoking, yo-yo dieting and the use of hormonal contraceptives can all play roles as well. Even the thickness of your skin can contribute to its development.
Diet
Although soda doesn't cause cellulite, it can theoretically worsen its appearance if its consumption increases your intake of calories enough to cause a caloric surplus. A surplus of 3,500 calories is equivalent to 1 lb. of weight gain from fat. Excess weight can add additional pressure to the fat pockets, exacerbating the dimpled appearance of your skin. For this reason following a healthy diet is often recommended to reduce the chances of cellulite. This is especially true when combined with regular cardio exercise and strength training.
Treatment
If you're carrying excess weight, losing a few pounds may help improve cellulite. It won't, however, get rid of it completely. Weight loss does nothing to reverse the cause of cellulite, but it can relieve some of the pressure and minimize the dimpling. You may also see some improvement with laser or radiofrequency therapy. Creams containing retinol may help as well. Talk to your doctor to determine the best approach for you.
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