Beat Cellulite with Plants!
One more reason to dive into a whole foods plant-based diet (WFPB): a better butt!
A 2011 study[i] out of Italy showed that women with significant cellulite in the rear and thighs had a much lower level of adiponectin in the affected areas than those without any cellulite. Adiponectin is a hormone produced mainly by subcutaneous fat, which has anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory effects in the body. Having higher levels of this hormone has been associated with all kinds of important health benefits like reversing chronic diseases and neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders, but this study indicates that it may be possible to reduce the appearance of cellulite by increasing levels of adiponectin. Priorities, right?
There are several factors that increase the levels of this rarely discussed hormone in our systems, diet being number one. A diet high in fiber, low in fat, and low in refined sugar has proven to significantly increase levels of adiponectin, and the most expedient way to achieve those three diet goals in one shot is WFPB. Packed with fiber, naturally low fat, and devoid of refined sugar, plants are the perfect cellulite-busting food! Think about it: calorie for calorie, there is no animal food that can compete. Certain specific foods can also affect levels of adiponectin; namely flaxseed, soy products, and borage oil. It’s interesting to note that these three foods are all associated with decreasing excess estrogens and relieving the vasomotor symptoms of menopause (hot flashes) – that’s a triple punch for women’s health.
Other lifestyle factors affect the expression of adiponectin, too. Smoking has been shown to decrease levels of the hormone, regardless of dietary patterns – in fact, one study[ii] showed that smoking basically canceled out the benefits of a Mediterranean diet on adiponectin. So if you still smoke, now is as good a time as ever to quit. Moderate weight loss, as well as calorie restriction and/or intermittent fasting[iii] have all shown to increase tissue levels of the hormone, with IF showing the most marked effect.
Bottom line (pun intended): the evidence for the myriad benefits of a plant-based diet is piling up. I don’t know about you, but if I can protect my health, feel great, AND have a better rear view, I am IN!
[i] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21413950