Did you say that your calf and ankle have come together? Then, you are likely to be the damsel in cankle distress. Do you want to know how to get rid of cankles? But first, you need to know “what are cankles?”
Cankle is a slang word coined from the words ‘calf’ and ‘ankle’ to denote a prevalent health condition, where there is no distinction between calves and ankles of the affected persons. It is not just a matter of swollen ankles; it has a significant impact on your physical appearance.
A cankle is either a thicker skin caused by fat deposits or swelling due to water retention. Here are five natural remedies that will help you get rid of them.
Natural and Alternative Remedies to Treat Cankles
1. Foods
Unlike a fat-free diet, a balanced diet is the one in which every element required by the body is present in a quantity that is essential for the proper functioning of the body systems. A good diet is the best remedy for fat cankles.
[Read: Best Foods to Kick Out Stress ]
Cucumber and Lemon water
How to use?
To dilute the salt in your system, increase your intake of fluids. Instead of just drinking a lot of water, you can add a few slices of cucumber and lemon drops to it.
Benefits
Cucumber and lemon reduce the water swelling from the ankles and also help you get skinny cankles.
Precautions
Do not consume too much of cucumber as it could become toxic and cause stomach disorders.
Vegetables and Fruits (Diet)
Benefits
Due to their high fiber content, vegetables make you less likely to feel hungry early. Thus, they help you in cutting down fried and junk foods from your diet.
How to eat?
It is better to reduce your meals by half and double the number of fruits and veggies in your diet. You can consume vegetables and fruits raw or in the form of delicious salads and smoothies. Don’t wonder anymore on how to get rid of cankles. Follow this tip and see the results.
[Read: You Lose Weight with Vegetables ]
Eat Protein-rich food
Benefits
A swollen ankle is one of the significant symptoms of protein deficiency(1). Just increase the measure of protein in your daily food and keep yourself away from the cankles in heels.
How to eat?
It is better to consume chicken and low-fat dairy products since they are rich in protein and low in fats and calories. You can also extract protein benefits from protein shakes and protein bars.
Foods to avoid
Reduce salt intake
An increase in the sodium intake causes fluid retention in your ankles. Hence, cut down the excess of sodium from your diet to flaunt thinner legs. Reducing your sodium intake also helps in getting rid of cankles while pregnant.
Don’ts
Say no to deep-fried and processed food
Deep-fried and processed foods contain saturated fats, trans-fatty acids, and cholesterol that will cause a lot of health issues such as obesity, heart disorders, diabetes, etc.
[Also Read: Natural Ways to Treat Inverted Sprained Ankle]
2. Herbal Treatment
Coriander Seeds
How to use?
- Just add 2 to 3 teaspoons of coriander seeds to a cup of water
- Boil until the quantity reduces by half
- Strain this solution and drink it
- It is a useful tip on how to get rid of cankles
Benefits
Coriander seeds have anti-inflammatory properties. They help to reduce the cankles caused due to water retention or due to pregnancy. Using the coriander seeds to treat cankle legs is one of the cost-effective and less hectic methods.
Precautions
It is essential to check if you are allergic to coriander seeds.
3. Essential Oils
Grapefruit Essential Oil
How to use?
As per many studies, grapefruit oil(2) is a great way to reduce body swelling caused due to water retention. Just add a few drops of this oil in a warm bath and relax for 20 minutes.
[Read: Essential Oils to Treat Blisters ]
Benefits
Grapefruit oil is an excellent skin nourishing and rejuvenating agent. The antioxidants present in grapefruit oil help in relieving pain. This oil helps to remove swollen cankles and also helps to relieve cankles pregnancy swelling. Pregnant ladies should be aware of these tips on how to get rid of cankles to reduce their discomfort.
Precautions
It is important to hydrate yourself well before and after taking a bath.
4. Natural treatments
Jumping Rope
One more effective advice on how to get rid of cankles is jumping rope. A 15-minute jumping rope is more than a 30-minute cardio workout. If you are desperate to flaunt the slender legs, then do this magic exercise every day.
Walk every day
A 20-minute morning walk every day helps to keep you fit and in the best of your health and also gives you the party heels that you’ve always dreamt of.
- Take a refreshing Epsom salt bath to lose body fat
- Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of Epsom salt in a tub filled with warm water
- Soak in it for 15 minutes
- It not only relieves you of the body fat, but it also removes the pain due to swelling
5. Supplements
Hemorrhoid creams
How to use?
Just apply the cream externally as prescribed by your doctor on your cankles and you will see remarkable results.
Precautions:
If you have pregnancy cankles, you need to talk to your doctor before using these creams.
Precautions
If your cankles are due to pregnancy or other health disorders such as diabetes and kidney disorders, you need to check with the doctor before proceeding with the cure
- Check for allergies before using any of the products
- Do not overdo the exercises as it may lead to pain in the cankles and sore muscles
Though cankles affect a tiny portion of your body, they create a notable impact on your overall appearance. While cankles in most of the women occur due to pregnancy and body fat, in men, cankles are a result of severe health issues such as diabetes, kidney and heart problems, and some are born with genetic cankles. Reasons are many but so are the solutions to get rid of them.
Faqs
1. Are Cankles genetic?
Cankles are a condition that is genetic. It is genetically predisposed and is mostly seen in women. However, there are cases where it could be caused due to obesity, absence of the calf muscle.
2. Are swollen ankles dangerous?
Swollen ankles and swollen feet are generally common and usually don’t any concern, particularly if you have been physically exhausting yourself. However, this swelling combined with any pain could be a signal from your ankles and foot.
