During the festive season, a rumour keeps gaining traction online: champagne supposedly offers undeniable health benefits. One of its so-called magical powers? Banishing every woman’s sworn enemy — cellulite. But what should we make of the idea that a few glasses a day could help us get rid of orange-peel skin? Fact or fiction, we investigated…
The starting premise
Champagne’s supposed anti-cellulite properties are said to lie in its polyphenol content (plant-based molecules with antioxidant properties). These compounds are thought to improve blood flow and lower blood pressure. Furthermore, these same polyphenols — champagne is said to contain 440 different ones, including resveratrol — may enhance the quality of blood and lymphatic vessels thanks to their antioxidant qualities. At a rate of one glass per day, champagne could therefore stimulate microcirculation, promoting better drainage of toxins and lymph.
To support this claim, many cite a study(1) conducted by Jeremy Spencer, head of the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Reading, dating back to 2009. Published in the British Journal of Nutrition, the study suggests that one to two glasses of champagne per day could reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease. A study that would seem to confirm the beneficial effects of champagne on veno-lymphatic health — and, possibly, on cellulite.
The benefits of resveratrol
So, could the resveratrol found in champagne genuinely help reduce orange-peel skin ?
First, it’s worth noting that resveratrol is found in grapes (and therefore in wine and champagne), but also in cocoa, peanuts, cranberries, rhubarb and pomegranate. It’s also worth mentioning that when it comes to wine, reds are far richer in resveratrol than whites, which undergo little maceration. Champagne is therefore not the most polyphenol-rich drink out there…
Now let’s look at what research says about this well-known polyphenol:
- It may block free radicals responsible for oxidative stress, which itself contributes to atherosclerosis (fatty deposits building up on artery walls)(2)
- It may prevent platelet aggregation. When platelets clump together, they promote vasoconstriction — that is, a narrowing of blood and lymphatic vessels. Resveratrol could therefore help prevent circulatory blockages and support healthy fluid circulation(3)
However, these findings, while promising, were observed in animals during laboratory experiments. In humans, the results are less encouraging: a haemorrhagic risk has been noted(4) and there is no confirmed evidence of lipid-lowering effects(5).
Claiming that champagne boosts microcirculation and therefore reduces cellulite is, at best, a very bold shortcut!
Champagne is, first and foremost, an alcoholic drink
Does it still need to be said? Champagne contains alcohol, which does far more harm than good to the body. And even though champagne is a moderately alcoholic drink (10–12%, less than red wine but more than beer), the fact remains that a single glass of champagne contains around 90 kcal. These are empty calories that offer the body nothing but fast sugar, metabolised directly by the liver and stored as fat. A first strike against cellulite, which is partly caused by excessive fat storage in adipocytes.
On top of that, alcohol — whether in champagne or any other drink — is dehydrating. Ethanol molecules interfere with the production of vasopressin, a hormone that regulates kidney activity. When you drink alcohol, the kidneys produce more urine than usual, causing the body to expel large amounts of water. And the water contained in the alcoholic drink does nothing to offset this fluid loss. This is bad news for cellulite, which is often accompanied by water retention — a phenomenon that is itself worsened by dehydration.
So, what should we make of champagne’s anti-cellulite claims?
You’ve probably guessed it: there’s no point believing in miracles — drinking champagne every day won’t make your cellulite disappear. If it were that simple, we’d all have dream-worthy bottoms and thighs that are firm and free of the slightest dimple.
There is no ready-made solution for reducing cellulite. Only consistent daily effort truly pays off:
- A healthy, balanced diet that prioritises natural foods and is low in salt, sugar and processed foods.
- Regular physical activity, combining daily walking with cardio sessions (running, swimming, cycling, rollerblading… you know the drill!).
- Generous hydration, with plenty of water, tea and herbal infusions, or even plant-based draining drinks (such as our Draineur Cellulite, for instance!).
- Daily massages to stimulate microcirculation and encourage the drainage of fat cells — and for that, you can always reach for our little Ventouse and a good massage oil, such as our Stimulante, Régénérante or Tonifiante oils.
So yes, go ahead and enjoy that glass of champagne. After all, Christmas and New Year’s Eve (or any other special occasion) are worth celebrating! Just be mindful of alcohol consumption — and above all, don’t believe everything you read online!
Happy holidays!
References
(1) 2009, Spencer et al., Moderate Champagne consumption promotes an acute improvement in acute endothelial-independent vascular function in healthy human volunteers
(2) 2001, Stojanovic, Sprintz, Brede, Efficiency and Mechanism of the Antioxidant Action of trans-Resveratrol and Its Analogues in the Radical Liposome Oxidation
(3) 2008, Yang et al., Resveratrol attenuates thromboxane A2 receptor agonist-induced platelet activation by reducing phospholipase C activity
(4) 2010, Cottart et al., Resveratrol bioavailability and toxicity in humans
(5) 2013, Sahebkar, Effects of resveratrol supplementation on plasma lipids: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials