New year, new resolutions… Yours is to finally get rid of the cellulite that’s been bothering you. You’d love to try an anti-cellulite drainage drink, but you’re not sure where to start? We separate fact from fiction, taking a close look at drainage drinks and explaining what you can reasonably expect from them.
What is a drainage drink?
A drainage drink is a drinkable concentrate to dilute, or a ready-to-drink beverage, usually made with plant extracts. It is often linked to detox routines, a concept best taken with a pinch of salt. Its ingredients generally include:
- Plant extracts (nettle, birch, ash…)
- Ingredients derived from fruit or vegetables (pineapple, papaya, artichoke…)
- Sometimes caffeine, from coffee, tea or guarana
- Sometimes a flavouring, to make the drink more pleasant
Before you get started, bear in mind that a drainage drink is no substitute for a varied diet or for staying well hydrated every day.
There are various types of drainage drinks, and most of them are based on plant extracts, with the ingredient list varying from one formula to another.
Drainage drinks and cellulite: what you need to know
When people talk about drainage drinks, it’s mainly aqueous cellulite they have in mind. It is mainly linked to water retention, in other words an excessive build-up of water in the tissues that isn’t cleared by the lymph as it normally would be. Water retention shows up as:
- A puffy, oedematous appearance, especially in the lower body (thighs, knees, legs)
- Sometimes swelling of the fingers, feet or face
- Sensations of heavy legs with paraesthesia, tingling and numbness
- A cellulite that looks swollen, is not painful to the touch, and only shows when pinched (the classic dimpled appearance of orange peel skin)
It is mainly caused by sluggish lymphatic circulation: the lymph moves poorly and no longer does its job of clearing things away properly. No drink has been shown to have any effect on this mechanism: if you enjoy draining beverages, they can have a place in your daily routine, but don’t expect them to change the look of cellulite.
One caveat, however: adipose and fibrous cellulite have causes other than water retention. Some formulas also contain caffeine (coffee, guarana), bromelain (pineapple) or capsaicin (chilli), so read the label carefully, especially if you’re sensitive to caffeine.
Finally, if you do try a course, make it part of an overall healthy lifestyle:
- A balanced diet low in salt, sugar and saturated fats
- Regular physical activity (for example water-based sports such as swimming or aqua aerobics, two gentle, all-round activities)
- A consistent anti-cellulite massage routine
What precautions should you take?
Some drainage drink courses are diluted in water: a good reminder to drink enough throughout the day. For directions, always refer to those of the product you’ve chosen.
That said, a course should not be prolonged. That is the very principle of a course: it is time-limited, 2 to 3 weeks maximum. A few points to keep in mind:
- A prolonged course isn’t something to take lightly: your body’s balance, particularly of sodium and nutrients, needs to be preserved.
- Some formulas contain caffeine, which can disrupt your sleep and make it harder to drop off.
- If you’re on medication, have a medical condition or have any doubts, ask your GP before starting a course.
So yes to anti-cellulite drainage drinks — but always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and, where appropriate, consult your doctor.
How to choose your anti-cellulite drainage drink
If you’re interested in a course, take the time to choose your anti-cellulite drainage drink carefully, bearing in mind that it won’t change the dimpled look of the skin. Here are the plants and ingredients most commonly found in these formulas:
- Meadow and woodland plants: nettle, birch, meadowsweet, ash, borage, dandelion, mouse-ear hawkweed, orthosiphon…
- Vegetables, fruit and herbs (see also our tips for digestion): artichoke, black radish, rosemary, sage, papaya, fennel…
- Leaves, berries and seeds: red vine, ginkgo biloba, blackcurrant, butcher’s broom, horse chestnut…
- Ingredients often marketed as “fat-burning“, a claim best taken with a pinch of salt: pineapple stem (bromelain), coffee, tea, guarana, maté (caffeine), chilli (capsaicin), pepper (piperine), garcinia cambogia (HCA)…
What to check before choosing a drainage drink
There’s no one-size-fits-all formula. Read the ingredients list carefully, opt for a short list with no unnecessary additives, and follow the manufacturer’s directions. Keep the course to 2 to 3 weeks maximum and ask your GP if you have any doubts, especially if you’re taking any medication.
If the formula you’ve chosen contains natural ingredients like those listed above, and its ingredients list is clean (no unwanted additives such as artificial flavourings, texture agents or unnecessary colourings), that’s a good starting point. And to help you choose, take a look at the Cellublue 3-in-1 Cellulite Drainer:
- Its formula is 98.3% natural
- Its ingredients include guarana, green tea, ash, ulvaline and papaya
- It’s easy to use: simply dilute 20 ml in your drinking water
- Its gentle pineapple flavour is very pleasant and never cloying
- It’s taken as a short course, alongside a varied diet and regular physical activity
You might also like to discover our Cellulite Capsules: 100% natural, vegan capsules made with plant extracts. And for more everyday ideas, have a look at our detox tips.
