Bromelain, also called ‘pineapple extract,’ is a combination of several compounds, including a large amount of a special protein-digesting enzyme. This enzyme is able to be digested and thus affect the blood and body, rather than just the stomach and intestines.
When Bromelain is in the stomach, it will help the body break down and digest protein. Supplementation of bromelain can also reduce nasal inflammation, meaning it acts as a decongestant.
If taken between meals, bromelain can benefit the immune system and protect the body from cancer. Bromelain’s effects on fat cells are also under investigation, with promising preliminary evidence.
Bromelain’s anti-inflammatory properties are responsible for several of its effects, including its ability to decongest the nasal cavity. Further research is needed to determine the mechanism through which bromelain survives the digestive system.
There are many anecdotes that say bromelain supplementation will cause semen to taste like pineapple, but no studies have tested this claim.
| Is a Form Of | Joint Health |
| Other Functions | Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory |
| Primary Function | Gut Health |
| Also Known As | Pineapple extract |
| Goes Well With | • Certain anti-biotics (see Nutrient-Nutrient Interactions), may increase bioavailability • Dietary protein (if suffering from dyspepsia) |
The standard dose for bromelain depends on the goal of supplementation. If the goal is to aid digestion, the standard dose is between 200 – 2,000mg, taken with a meal.
If the goal of supplementation is not digestion related, does range from 200 - 800mg.
Bromelain is typically taken between meals to avoid potential degradation in the stomach. The large range for the standard dose is due to the variations in the enzymatic potential of bromelain, which is standardized by milk clotting units (MCU), or gelatin dissolving units (GDU).
