Bromelain: Benefits, risks, sources, and side effects

What food has the most bromelain?

The food with the highest bromelain content is pineapple.

How often should a person take bromelain?

Bromelain does not have a standard dose. Speak with a doctor or healthcare professional before taking supplements.

Is eating pineapple the same as taking bromelain?

Pineapple does not usually contain enough bromelain to make the same impact as taking bromelain supplements.

Bromelain is an enzyme mixture found in pineapples. It has various potential health benefits, including reducing inflammation and improving digestion.

There is scientific evidence surrounding the effectiveness of using bromelain for these purposes.

Bromelain is an enzyme mixture

Healers have used these enzymes for hundreds of years in many ways. Now, retailers sell bromelain as a health supplement or skin cream.

Bromelain is a mixture of enzymes that have active effects on the body. The active ingredients in bromelain include proteinases and proteases, enzymes that break down proteins in the body.

People use bromelain as a natural remedy for many health issues. However, little quality scientific research supports many of its uses.

We discuss the possible benefits of bromelain supplements, along with the research, below:

Relieving sinusitis

Bromelain may be helpful as a supportive therapy to reduce the symptoms of sinusitis and related conditions that affect breathing and the nasal passages.

A 2021 review found that bromelain may help treat sinusitis by managing the infection. Bromelain can help minimize the duration of the symptoms, particularly in children with severe cases.

Treating osteoarthritis

People commonly use bromelain supplements to improve the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

The same 2021 review states that bromelain can improve symptoms of pain and stiffness in those with osteoarthritis, especially in combination with nutraceuticals such as turmeric.

Anti-inflammatory effects

Along with reducing nasal inflammation in sinusitis, bromelain may also reduce inflammation elsewhere in the body.

A 2023 study found that bromelain reduced inflammatory effects. It also decreases the production of inflammatory cytokines, which stimulate the immune system to fight infections and diseases but can cause harmful inflammation when produced in excess.

Anticancer effects

A 2023 study found that bromelain may block toxic events in the body that may lead to the development of cancerous cells. However, these studies are in vitro and in vivo and are limited.

Weight loss

Some supplement manufacturers are marketing bromelain as a weight loss aid. They state that the enzymes in bromelain can increase the speed at which the body digests fats.

One 2022 study found that bromelain can help increase insulin sensitivity and reduce obesity in patients with diabetes. However, further research on its anti-obesity effects is necessary.

Bromelain is naturally present in a pineapple’s stem and yellow fruit. Manufacturers may sell bromelain as a capsule, cream, powder, or tablet.

Manufacturers may also package bromelain and other supplements, such as conjugated linoleic acid, a compound that may help with weight loss.

The body is usually able to absorb a significant amount of bromelain safely. People can consume about 12 grams per day of bromelain without it producing any unwanted side effects.

However, neither doctors nor researchers have established a specific amount of bromelain that a person should take to see health benefits. The dose may depend on what type of bromelain a person takes (from the stem or the fruit), preparation, and the manufacturer’s recommendations.

While bromelain is a natural substance, it can have some side effects,

If a person experiences these side effects, they should stop using bromelain and talk with their doctor about other possible treatments.

People with sensitivities or allergies to pineapples should avoid taking bromelain. It can cause allergic reactions that range from mild to severe and, in extreme cases, anaphylaxis.

A person should seek emergency medical attention if they experience any of the following after taking or applying bromelain:

• difficulty breathing
• nausea
• severely swollen skin
• vomiting
• a weak, rapid pulse