We can’t say it enough, ladies: staying properly hydrated every day is essential to staying healthy. But where does cellulite fit in? Water won’t make it disappear, but drinking enough is one of the everyday habits that matter. We explain what we actually know, why staying hydrated is so important, and share simple tips to help you drink more every day. Let’s dive in!
Does drinking more water help with weight loss and cellulite?
A study from the University of Birmingham, published in the journal Obesity in August 2015, looked at a simple idea: drinking water before meals while following a diet. The researchers tested half a litre of water, 30 minutes before each meal.
Over three months, 84 adults with an average age of 56 who were living with obesity (BMI above 30) followed a personalised diet plan after receiving nutritional guidance. 41 volunteers were asked to drink half a litre of tap water thirty minutes before sitting down to eat, while sparkling water, sodas and sugary drinks were not permitted. The remaining participants were simply asked to imagine feeling full before their meal.
At the end of the study, participants who had drunk their water before all three daily meals had lost an average of 4.3 kg over 3 months, compared with 800 grams for those who did so only once a day or not at all. An encouraging figure, but one to read with caution: it was a small study, carried out in people living with obesity who were already on a diet, and the gap between the two original groups was more modest. It says nothing about any effect of water on cellulite.
Why? Drinking water before meals begins to fill your stomach, leaving you less hungry at mealtimes and between meals (goodbye snacking — cellulite dimples are no fan of it!). Water is also beneficial in other ways, but it doesn’t act on the breakdown of fats or on the fatty deposits responsible for dimpling. The result? If you drink enough water every day, you’ll be helping your whole body stay hydrated — your skin included.
To make the most of water’s benefits, keep two things in mind: first, avoid adding any sugar. That means cutting back on sodas and sugary drinks of all kinds, which contain a lot of sugar without really curbing your hunger.
What about sparkling water?
You’ll often read that it makes cellulite worse, but there’s nothing to back that up. Plain sparkling water, with no added sugar or flavourings, hydrates you just as well as still water. If the bubbles leave you feeling bloated, simply switch back to still.
It’s also recommended to drink small amounts at a time. We suggest spreading your daily water intake across several glasses throughout the day.
8 great reasons to drink more water
You’ll keep your whole body hydrated
As we’ve just seen, drinking enough water won’t break down the fatty deposits responsible for those stubborn dimples. But it helps your body work well, and it’s a simple foundation to combine with a balanced diet, regular exercise and cupping massage.
☝️ Did you know that at Cellublue we’ve developed an Anti-Cellulite Drainer? This drink is made with carefully selected plants. It’s a pleasant way to drink a little more throughout the day.
By drinking regularly alongside more fibre (vegetables, fruit, wholegrains), you’ll help your body digest what you eat comfortably: the two go hand in hand. And a large glass of water is far lighter than a sugary fizzy drink, for a genuine sense of wellbeing!
You’ll snack less
It’s easy to mistake thirst for a snack craving. Next time you feel peckish between meals, drink a large glass of water and wait a few minutes: if the hunger passes, you may simply have been thirsty. And fewer snacks means less unnecessary sugar…
Your workouts will feel more comfortable
To feel at their best during a workout, our bodies need to be properly hydrated, as we lose water through sweat. By drinking enough before, during and after exercise, in small sips, you’ll stay on form: just adjust the amount to how hard you’re working and how hot it is.
You’ll be looking after your skin
Drinking enough is one of those good everyday habits, just like using a moisturiser suited to your skin. If you like the taste, a large glass of warm water with fresh organic lemon juice every morning is a lovely way to start the day. So, what are you waiting for?
You’ll sit down to eat less ravenous
Give it a try: drink a large glass of water 30 minutes before your meal. Your stomach will already be partly full, which may stop you from diving into your lunch.
You’ll replace the water you lose each day
Every day, our bodies lose water through breathing, sweating and going to the loo. By drinking water regularly you help your body make up for these losses naturally and effortlessly. The rest is down to your liver and kidneys: no drink can “cleanse” your body in their place.
You’ll avoid thirst-related energy dips
You may have already noticed that when you’re not drinking enough, you feel more tired and less focused. That’s because your body needs enough water to keep functioning properly. Drink enough throughout the day, and you’ll help avoid that little energy dip! If unusual tiredness persists, have a chat with your GP.
How to drink more water every day
Keep a bottle within reach
Our first tip sounds simple — and it is — but it’s an excellent habit to start right now. By keeping a bottle of water close at hand at all times (on your desk, in your bag, on the coffee table…), you’ll never forget to drink or feel too lazy to get up for a glass!
Choose water-rich foods
Hydration isn’t just about what you drink — what you eat matters too. Many foods have a high water content and can help you reach your daily hydration goals. Great options include courgette, cucumber, tomato, lettuce, lemon, watermelon, grapefruit, apple and melon.
Set reminders
Setting alarms on your phone can be a great way to drink more. If you’re not used to drinking enough, reminders will prompt you to reach for a glass of water. Ideally, set one alarm per hour throughout the day. Within a few days, drinking more will become second nature!
Don’t limit yourself to plain water
If plain tap water feels a little uninspiring, this tip is for you! To make drinking more enjoyable, mix things up. Try homemade flavoured water: simply infuse pieces of fresh fruit in cold water for a few hours. You can also reach for:
To drink more, start first thing in the morning! A great habit to adopt as soon as you wake up is to drink a glass of lemon water before breakfast. With a little more flavour than plain water, this drink helps you to:
rehydrate after going without water overnight,
get your first glass in without even thinking about it,
perhaps swap out the sugary fruit juice at breakfast.
To make it, simply squeeze the juice of one organic lemon into a large glass of room-temperature or warm water. Drink it straight away.
Build small daily habits
Finally, to drink more consistently, it helps to build small rituals into your routine. For example, commit to drinking a glass of water every time you have a coffee, as soon as you get home, before brushing your teeth, or 30 minutes before each meal. These simple habits will increase your daily water intake without you even thinking about it.
Drinking more water every day is a great habit. That said, it’s not enough on its own to say goodbye to orange-peel skin! You need to combine this good habit with a balanced diet, regular physical activity and regular cupping massage, which helps to tackle the appearance of cellulite. For easy and quick cupping massage at home, meet the Cellublue Cup!
Frequently asked questions
How can I reduce the appearance of cellulite on my thighs?
By combining several habits: a balanced diet, regular exercise that works your legs, and regular cupping massage. Drinking enough water is part of a good everyday routine, but water alone won’t change the look of your skin.
How do you break down fatty deposits?
Drinking water doesn’t act directly on fatty deposits. To tackle the appearance of dimpled skin, focus on a balanced diet, regular exercise and cupping massage.
How can I get rid of cellulite?
A consistent routine can combine good hydration, a balanced diet, exercise and cupping massage. No drink on its own is enough to change the appearance of dimpled skin.
How much water should I drink a day?
Everyone’s needs vary depending on body size, activity levels and the heat. The simplest approach is to drink regularly throughout the day without waiting until you feel thirsty, and to drink more when you’re sweating.
