Bromelain is an enzyme that is found naturally occurring in the fruit and juice of the pineapple. This enzyme extract has been used for centuries to support digestive health, mostly throughout Central and South America.
Modern medicine now recognizes the importance of bromelain for health, and it is now a widely accepted supplement to support a healthy digestive system.
Bromelain for Proper Digestion
As an enzyme that is responsible for the digestion of proteins, bromelain is essential for healthy digestive function. Bromelain can support digestion by making sure that proteins from the foods you consume are digested, and the amino acids produced are properly absorbed. This enzyme also helps support the absorption of other nutrients.
Bromelain also supports gut health, and promotes gut lining integrity, which keeps the nutrients you should be absorbing contained in the gut for optimal absorption. Bromelain also helps reduce occasional oxidative stress, which can interfere with gut lining health. In this way, bromelain can help with:
♦ Gut lining health: Bromelain works with other digestive enzymes and probiotics to help support gut lining integrity. By reducing occasional oxidative stress, bromelain helps support gut lining health to promote proper digestive function and nutrient absorption.
♦ Occasional indigestion: Many common GI symptoms, such as occasional abdominal discomfort, bloating, and gas, among others, can be caused by poor digestion of food. Bromelain, along with other digestive enzymes, helps promote food digestion and breakdown into usable nutrients.
♦ Healthy bowel movements: When food is properly digested, the body will be able to eliminate waste efficiently and people experience rejuvenated abdominal comfort. Individuals eating a high-protein diet can benefit from bromelain supplements to help promote healthy bowel movements.
Additional Benefits of Bromelain
Bromelain is primarily taken to support digestion, but there are additional benefits you may see when adding bromelain to your daily routine.
Joint health: The antioxidant capacity of bromelain allows it to help reduce typical oxidative stress, which can reduce occasional joint stiffness and promote mobility.
Heart health: Bromelain supports healthy blood clotting and promotes normal blood pressure and circulatory health.
Respiratory health: The antioxidant properties of bromelain help reduce occasional oxidative stress in the lungs to promote respiratory tract health.
Immune system support: When applied topically, bromelain cream helps support immune responses and the body’s natural healing rate.
Taking Bromelain
Bromelain is typically taken as a pill or tablet, but you can also find it as a cream for topical use. Pineapples contain the enzyme naturally, but the fruit and juice do not contain enough of the enzyme to be effective. For optimal health benefits, you may want to add a digestive enzyme supplement that includes bromelain to your diet.
Your doctor will recommend the right dose for you, but generally, doses are between 80 and 400 milligrams per serving. Bromelain is a naturally-sourced compound, but it can still interact with other supplements and medications, so always, consult your doctor before adding it to your diet.
The Bottom Line
Bromelain is a beneficial enzyme that is naturally extracted from pineapple. It has been used to support health in traditional medicine for centuries, and has recently been recognized in today’s world as a beneficial digestive enzyme. Bromelain is an important enzyme involved in promoting a healthy digestive system, and it can support healthy digestion, nutrient absorption, and so much more.
