I like big butts and I cannot lie!

Sir Mixalot never grows old for me!

The symbol of African beauty – the African booty!

This isn’t exactly a fashion post but it’s about something that caught my eye and I’m pretty sure you’ll find interesting.

Remember when I shared my favourite African models, I sort of hinted at how there’s an ongoing debate as to whether or not they genuinely represent African beauty?

Well, I’m back on that particular topic in a way. I think they represent a type of beauty that is synonymous with how designers want their clothes to appear. 

The clothes, rather than the figure should be the main focal point and curves tend to distract from that. Facially, I think they are striking, no doubt about it but I also think there’s a whole other range of shapes, sizes, shades and so on that we’ll never see on the runway.

You know the Dove “Real Beauty” campaign? I’d love to see that done for African women and women of African descent to celebrate our diversity.

So.....most of the women I know (myself included) have a generous helping of backside (I’m at 40in and proud!). 

Many of us have spent years trying to slim this down to fit a more “acceptable” version of beautiful. Then along came J-Lo and all of a sudden butts were in although I don’t think we really bought into it until Bootylicious Beyonce. Then of course there’s Kim Kardashian who’s booty is the stuff people apparently write whole poems about!

My point is, we started to embrace our booties and now, there’s research that gives us scientific reasoning to love our booties even more!

Research conducted by Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota USA revealed that storing fat in your behind or your thighs (this is known as subcutaneous fat) can actually improve your life expectancy.

That’s right, having a big bootie means you could live longer!

The reasoning is this:
Subcutaneous fat contains anti-inflammatory enzymes that could apparently dissolve artery blockages. It is also effective in encouraging your body to use your natural insulin to fight off diseases and ironically, lose weight.
Subcutaneous fat also breaks down slower than abdominal fat and while this makes the fat harder to lose  (as any of you I’m sure will testify!), it also means that it produces fewer inflammatory cytokines (small cell-signalling protein molecules)which have been linked to heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

While this is great news for those of us blessed with generous behinds, please do remember that a healthy lifestyle is key to a long life! 

Check out Afrawear.com for clothes with African flair to suit all body shapes.

Till next time!