Brazilian women are famed for their pert and smooth bottoms and a fruit from their homeland could be the answer to the dreaded dimpled effect of cellulite.

The peel of a common fruit found growing in central and Western Brazil, called pequi fruit, can help reduce the appearance of cellulite according to a new study.

The pequi fruit, which is a sweet yellowy green fruit about the same size as an orange, has very high levels of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties which when applied to skin affected by cellulite can help reduce the appearance of dimpled and inflamed skin.

Cellulite is caused by the accumulation of fatty deposits under the skin’s surface which often becomes slightly inflamed causing the bumpy orange peel effect of cellulite.

The study, carried out at the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM), was the basis for the development of new trial cream funded by the Amazonas State government and in partnership with UFAM.

The trial cream contains pequi fruit peel extract from a specific region of Brazil, which is specifically helpful in the treatment of cellulite, according to researchers.

Pequi fruit is used mostly in foods and its oil used on some cosmetics. Its peel is typically thrown away as a waste product.