During the festive season — and throughout the rest of the year for many of us — we tend to drink alcohol fairly regularly. Evenings with friends, pairing a good meal, all kinds of celebrations… the occasions are endless! Yet while we already know that alcohol isn’t exactly a friend to a healthy lifestyle, we sometimes forget that it can also be pretty disastrous for our figure and our cellulite. Let us explain…
The impact of alcohol on cellulite and weight
The first thing to consider when looking at alcohol’s effect on our weight and dimpled skin is its sugar content, which can be extremely high. That sugar level explains the significant number of calories packed into our glasses. For example, a glass of red wine contains around 70 calories, a vodka shot 120 calories, a beer 110 calories — and the worst offender of all, a fruit-juice cocktail, can clock in at up to 180 calories!
So the maths adds up quickly: if you have several drinks in one evening, your daily calorie count will soon spiral. Knowing that these calories come primarily from carbohydrates — in other words, the sugars in alcohol — it becomes clear why this drink has a real impact on the development of cellulite and stubborn little rolls. When we consume sugar, our body stores it as fat… which ends up settling into those dimples and extra pounds.
On top of that, drinking alcohol can blur certain signals, including the feeling of fullness. In other words, after a few glasses, it becomes harder to notice — and respect — the moment when you’re no longer hungry. Add to that the crisps, crackers and overly salty, sweet or fatty snacks that so often accompany a drink, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster when it comes to your figure!
Finally, alcohol tends to dehydrate the body, which partly explains that feeling of fatigue and general malaise the morning after a heavy night. If you’re prone to water-retention cellulite or you suffer from fluid retention, drinking too much too often risks making things worse.
How to limit the damage alcohol does to your figure and cellulite
To avoid gaining weight and letting cellulite take hold because of alcohol, try to keep your consumption as low as possible. On a night when things get a little out of hand, make a point of drinking a glass of water between each alcoholic drink — it’s a great way to slow down your intake and soften alcohol’s effects. Also steer clear of the overly fatty and salty snacks that tend to go hand in hand with a drink, and opt for lighter alternatives instead, such as breadsticks, vegetable crudités and hummus.
Now you know why alcohol can be such a disaster — both for your figure and your cellulite. That said, don’t be too hard on yourself! The occasional glass will have no real impact on your weight or your skin’s texture, so there’s no need to cut it out entirely. As always with food and drink, the key is balance. Be sensible, and enjoy your next cocktail to the full.
Feeling a little heavy after a big night out? Focus on hydration! As well as aiding digestion, drinking water helps prevent bloating, supports drainage, eliminates toxins and reduces fluid and fat retention. For an effective slimming and detox boost, try a slimming tea. With their blends of flowers, citrus and natural botanicals, you’ll feel your best again — even after a night of overindulgence.