Fruit of the Amazon could prove key to curing orange peel effect of cellulite

Fruit from the Amazon could be cure for cellulite

THE peel of an Amazonian fruit may hold the key to beating unsightly cellulite, according to new research.

 

A cream using the skin of the pequi - a yellow fruit the size of an orange - has been developed, which scientists say penetrates the skin affected by cellulite.

Researchers believe the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities of the fruit could help reduce the appearance of fatty deposits.

Studies on the effects of the pequi fruit emerged two years ago from the Federal University of Amazonas (Ufam), which studied 20 different regional varieties.

 

The cream is also a sustainable brand because it uses fruit peel discarded in industry

Evandro Mesquita

 

The flower of the pequi fruit

Pharmacist Dr Emerson Lima said: "Since these activities are important in cosmetic products, there were uses suggested, in the case of cellulitis, where inflammation is an important factor.

"Since then, we had the idea to apply this basis in a cosmetic product."

A project, funded by the Amazonas state government in partnership with the university, led to the development of a cream by bio-cosmetic company Pronatus.

A poll in Brazil showed two in five women feared the dreaded orange peel appearance of cellulite.



The pequi fruit is cut from the tree

Evandro Mesquita, research coordinator and owner of Pronatus, said: "While there are other types of pequi across Brazil, only that from the Amazon region has the anti-inflammatory effect, which is a strong ally in the fight against cellulite.

This fruit may help an age old problem