HI Japan 2019

Swell results: Sapporo conducts first clinical on lemon and facial swelling

24-Oct-2019 - Last updated on 24-Oct-2019 at 00:54 GMT

Sapporo conducts first clinical on lemon and facial swelling ©Getty Images

Polyphenols from lemon have been found to reduce facial swelling in healthy Japanese subjects, according to a clinical trial by Sapporo Holdings.

The researchers found lemon-derived enzyme-treated hesperidin could reduce swelling in the face and leg, with the study, which is published, claiming to the first in Japan to study this ingredient and its effect.

They first presented the verification study findings at the Health Ingredients exhibition in Tokyo.

The study

The study recruited 88 healthy Japanese men and women who were experiencing daily facial swelling.

Participants were assigned into the lemon-derived enzyme-treated hesperidin (LEH) treatment group or placebo group.

They were told to consume either a LEH (400mg/day of lemon-derived polyphenol powder which contains 300mg of mono-glucosyl hesperidin) or placebo test food for two weeks.

A visual analog scale was used to determine facial swelling symptoms as such skin texture and volume. Calf volume, circumference, and blood pressure were also measured.

The researchers said LEH ingestion contributed to the alleviation of swelling of the face and eyes in the morning.

In addition, LEH was also found to reduce calf swelling.

Sapporo wellness

The company conducted a survey on 1094 participants in September 2019, revealing that more than 70% of women in Japan experience some form of swelling.

The firm hopes this initial clinical trial findings can contribute towards improving women’s quality of life.

Sapporo Holdings established the Sapporo Wellness Lab in February this year to promote research and development on new health functions, and propose new health foods and ingredients.

In this year’s Q2 financial presentation, the company revealed it wants to propose a lifestyle incorporating lemon and its equivalent to consumers, through its development of lemon-based products and research relating to the fruit.

So in April 2019, Pokka Sapporo began cultivation of lemons in Osakikamijima Town, Toyoda-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture, to revitalising lemon production in Japan.

The firm reported JPY 548,000 million (US$4.8bn) consolidated revenue in FY19, a 5.2% increase from FY18.

Operating profit reached JPY 12,600 million (US$116m) in FY19, 16.4% increase from FY18.