Does Sodium Cause Cellulite?

Cellulite: no one wants it, but almost all of us will eventually have to face the beast head on. In fact, this cosmetic condition affects 90% of women at some point during their lives, even those who are thin and in shape.

The most frequently asked questions about cellulite are, “What caused it and how can I get rid of it?” While there are many factors that contribute to cellulite, the good news is that most of them are under your control. One of those factors is the amount of sodium you consume in your diet.

I know, I know. Salty foods taste SO good. However, as with all good things, you have to enjoy them in moderation.

Too much salt can throw off your body’s regulation of fluid. As you take on salt, your body retains more fluids to keep you from dehydrating. While drinking water helps your body flush out the toxins, eating salt helps you retain the fluids and therefore all the toxins as well. This retention of water and toxins can worsen the appearance of cellulite.

So, how much sodium can you take in per day? In general, the upper limit of daily sodium intake is 2,300 mg. However, most people exceed that amount and consume around 3,400 mg. While at first glance it may appear that your sodium is under control, there are two aspects working against you.

First, you don’t need to eat or use much salt to exceed your daily limit. Just one teaspoon of salt is equal to 2,300 mg of sodium. In other words, to stay under your daily limit, you essentially need to eliminate using salt on your meals or use a minuscule amount.

Secondly, the hidden sources of sodium are often the most deadly. Pre-packaged and frozen foods are often packed with sodium to be used as a preservative.

Consider the thin crust pepperoni pizza from DiGiorno. This may seem like a healthy alternative to a normal pizza. However, it has 820 mg of sodium per serving and there are FIVE servings in the box. That means if you enjoyed even half the pizza, you would have consumed 2,050 mg of sodium. Adding in everything else you had that day would almost surely put you over the limit.

In the end, if you are committed to truly getting rid of your cellulite, you have to attack the problem not just on the outside, but on the inside as well. By lowering your salt intake, you can take a major step towards getting that smooth and tone skin you’ve always dreamed about and saying goodbye to cellulite for good.