Cellulite, characterized by skin dimpling on the thighs, bottom and stomach, occurs in around 80% to 90% of women, often regardless of body weight. For some, it can be a significant aesthetic concern.
Previous research shows that cellulite is caused by diminished microcirculation, weakened connective tissues and enlarged fat cells, whereby all these disturbances are closely related to oxidative stress.
This latest study, conducted by a team of researchers from the Institute for Medicinal Plants Research in Belgrade, Serbia and published in the journal Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, featured 20 women between the ages of 21 to 49 years with a mild level of cellulite.
Study details
Over the 32-day study period, the women consumed both 60 mL daytime (DF) and night-time (NF) combination formulations with chokeberry and tart cherry juice as main ingredients.
Additional ingredients in each included red beet, rosehip and lion’s mane extracts (DF) and chamomile flower, lemon balm and reishi extracts (NF). The main chokeberry and tart cherry ingredients were purchased from Sljivko Healthy Food, which had no funding role in the study.
High-frequency ultrasonography was used to assess skin structure, and biochemical and anthropometric parameters were measured before and after supplementation.
The researchers reported that supplementation improved microcirculation and skin structure, suggesting benefits for anti-cellulite treatments.
Key findings included a reduction in skin measurements, as well as a reduction in the thickness of the dermis and subcutaneous fat.
“A reduction in the thickness of the dermis with subcutaneous fat tissue, subcutaneous fat tissue alone, epidermis and dermis with epidermis (15.02, 14.34, 21.98 and 20.94%, respectively) was noticed, while the length of the fascicles [a factor related to the appearance of cellulite] was reduced by 35.93%,” the researchers wrote.
In addition, 11 of the participants had dermal edema, at the outset of the study, which disappeared by the end of the treatment period—an outcome attributed to improved microcirculation as a result of the active components of the chokeberry and tart cherry juice. Both fruits contain high levels of anthocyanins, known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and vasoprotective properties.
There was also a significant increase in the number of tissue doppler signals, indicating improved blood supply to the skin post-treatment and enhancement of microvascular function.
Synergistic properties
The researchers noted that reductions occurred more rapidly with the combination dietary supplement than in previous studies that investigated the effects of chokeberry juice alone.
They suggested that chokeberry and tart cherry may work synergistically to improve microcirculation in the affected areas by mitigating the oxidative stress that is associated with cellulite development, thus reducing inflammatory markers and vascular permeability.
Liver and kidney function markers all remained within normal ranges during the study period, confirming the supplement’s safety.
Source: Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 80, 21 (2025)
doi: 10.1007/s11130-024-01261-z
“Beneficial Impacts of Chokeberry and Tart Cherry Based Dietary Supplements Consumption on Cellulite Reduction”
Authors: Katarina Šavikin et al.
