Evidence supporting the use of: Bromelain
For the health condition: Protein Digestion (poor)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Bromelain is a mixture of proteolytic enzymes derived from the pineapple plant (Ananas comosus). Its use in supporting protein digestion is primarily justified by scientific evidence rather than traditional use. Bromelain has demonstrated the ability to hydrolyze proteins into peptides and amino acids, effectively acting as a digestive aid. Several in vitro and animal studies have confirmed its proteolytic activity, showing that bromelain can break down dietary proteins similarly to endogenous digestive enzymes like pepsin and trypsin. Human studies are more limited but suggest potential benefits in individuals with pancreatic insufficiency or those experiencing poor protein digestion. The rationale for its use as a supplement is based on its resistance to gastric acid, allowing it to remain active in the acidic environment of the stomach, where it can assist in protein breakdown. Bromelain is commonly included in over-the-counter digestive enzyme blends for this reason. However, while laboratory and animal studies consistently show its proteolytic effects, clinical trials in humans are relatively few and often small in scale or of low methodological quality. As a result, the evidence is moderate (3/5): there is a plausible mechanism and some supportive data, but large, well-designed clinical trials are lacking. Thus, bromelain’s use for poor protein digestion is scientifically plausible and somewhat validated, but more robust clinical research is needed to confirm its efficacy in humans.
Other ingredients used for Protein Digestion (poor)
acid proteaseamino acids
bovine
bovine pancreas
bromelain
exo-peptidase
fish protein
ginger
liquid liver fractions
pancreatin
papain
pepsin
whey protein
zinc
brown rice protein
Animal Tissue
Actinidin
Aminopeptidase
Aspergillopepsin
Ananain
Black Gram
Exopeptidase
Egg protein
Other health conditions supported by bromelain
Abdominal PainAbscesses
Allergies (respiratory)
Arthritis
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cartilage Damage
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Circulation (poor)
Colitis
Cuts
Edema
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Inflammation
Injuries
Pain (general remedies for)
Protein Digestion (poor)
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic
Sinus Infection
Sprains
Surgery (healing from)
Tendonitis
Wounds and Sores
Products containing bromelain
Pure Encapsulations
A.C. Formula II
Pure Encapsulations
A.I. Enzymes
Pure Encapsulations
AI Formula
Designs For Health
AllerGzyme™
Integrative Therapeutics
Bio-Zyme
Pure Encapsulations
Bromelain 2400 500 mg
Pure Encapsulations
Bromelain 2400 500 mg
Douglas Laboratories
Bromelain 500 mg
Douglas Laboratories
Cysto Renew ®
Integrative Therapeutics
EHB
Douglas Laboratories
Glucosamine + MSM Forte ™
Douglas Laboratories
Glucosamine Plus ™
Pure Encapsulations
Hist Reset
Designs For Health
HistaEze™
Thorne
Joint Support Nutrients AR-Encap
Vitabase
Life's Essentials Plus
Designs For Health
Pancreatic Enzymes Plus
Designs For Health
Pulmonary Revive™
Vitabase
Quercetin Plus
Douglas Laboratories
Quercetin-Bromelain Complex
Thorne
Quercetin Complex Quercenase
Metagenics
Sinuplex®
Vitabase
Super Fat Burner
Vitabase
SuperZymes
Pure Encapsulations
Systemic Enzyme Complex
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive ®-EZ Swallow
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive® X
Vitabase
Ultra Veggie Enzymes
Pure Encapsulations
Uric Acid Formula
Thorne
Whey Protein Isolate Chocolate NSF
Thorne
Whey Protein Isolate Vanilla NSF
Douglas Laboratories
Wobenzym ® N
Douglas Laboratories
Wobenzym ® N
Douglas Laboratories
Wobenzym ® N
Douglas Laboratories
Wobenzym ® Plus
Douglas Laboratories
Wobenzym ® Plus
Douglas Laboratories
Wobenzym ® Plus
Douglas Laboratories
Wobenzym ® PS
Douglas Laboratories
Wobenzym ® PS