Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesSide EffectsPrecautionsDosageToxicityInteractionsStorageSources
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Side Effects
Precautions
Dosage
Toxicity
Interactions
Storage
Sources
Bromelain is aproteolytic enzymefound in the juice and stems of pineapple. It may help decrease inflammation and pain, easing the symptoms of sinusitis, osteoarthritis, and some digestive issues.
While bromelain is generally considered safe, it is not recommended for people who are pregnant or have liver or kidney disorders. Bromelain may also slow blood clotting, so it should not be used in combination with blood thinners.
Verywell / Gary Ferster
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Supplement FactsActive ingredient(s): BromelainAlternate name(s):Ananas comosus, pineapple enzyme, pineapple extractSuggested dose:No standard dose; discuss with a healthcare providerSafety considerations:Avoid when pregnant or breastfeeding, or when also taking blood-thinning medications
Supplement Facts
Active ingredient(s): BromelainAlternate name(s):Ananas comosus, pineapple enzyme, pineapple extractSuggested dose:No standard dose; discuss with a healthcare providerSafety considerations:Avoid when pregnant or breastfeeding, or when also taking blood-thinning medications
Uses of Bromelain
Research regarding the benefits of bromelain is limited. Here’s a look at several findings from the available research on the potential uses of bromelain.
Sinusitis
A few studies have documented some benefits of bromelain supplementation for sinusitis:
Still, the research is limited overall and is not enough to recommend bromelain’s use for sinusitis.
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Pain Relief
Laboratory studies show that bromelain reduces the levels of some substances that cause inflammation from arthritis, but results from clinical trials are mixed.
Knee Pain
So far, studies testing bromelain’s effects on knee pain have yielded mixed results.
In one small study, for example, bromelain supplements appeared to be no more effective than a placebo in alleviating symptoms such as pain and stiffness in people with knee osteoarthritis.
However, other research suggests that daily oral supplementation of bromelain works well for reducing knee pain and stiffness from osteoarthritis.
Surgical Pain
Research has looked at whether oral bromelain is effective in reducing pain, swelling, and healing time following oral surgery. However, its effectiveness has been found to vary from person to person and in different tissues in the body.
Four different systematic reviews (detailed reviews of articles focusing on answering a single question) evaluated bromelain for use after third-molar surgeries. The studies indicated that bromelain appeared to offer moderate pain relief after surgery.However, the results on whether it controlled swelling were mixed.
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Wound Healing
The topical use of bromelain has been investigated for its effects on burn wounds. Surgical excision remains the standard of care for burn wound debridement (removal of burned tissue), but there is some evidence that topical bromelain may reduce the amount of excision needed.
It should be noted that this treatment is done under medical supervision and only for burn wounds that require hospitalization. This does not apply to oral supplementation of bromelain.
Eye Floaters
A group of researchers is studying an oral bromelain supplement and its effectiveness for treating eye floaters. In one study, participants with floaters were given varying daily dosages of a supplement containing the enzymes bromelain, papain, and ficin. After three months, 12 of the 40 participants taking the highest supplement dose reported having floaters, while 38 of the 40 participants who were given a placebo (vitamin C) reported having floaters.
Digestive Issues
There are no clinical trials in humans evaluating the effects of bromelain alone in bowel disease or other issues affecting gut health. If you have digestive problems, be sure to discuss them with a gastroenterologist or your healthcare provider.
Cancer
There is not enough evidence to support the use of bromelain supplementation for cancer. A 2021 systematic review analyzed 15 studies and found no clear benefit from proteolytic enzymes as an adjuvant (add-on) treatment for cancer.
Muscle Soreness
There is insufficient research to support using bromelain for muscle soreness. Research has been conflicting.
An older, preliminary study evaluated the use of bromelain, ibuprofen, or placebo for delayed onset muscle soreness of the elbow flexors after an intense exercise regimen. No differences were noted between treatment groups, and neither bromelain nor ibuprofen (the main ingredient in Advil and Motrin) had a positive effect on pain or reduced range of motion following an exercise regimen.
A newer study from 2016, however, found that a group of cyclists who took bromelain had less muscle fatigue after days of cycling than a group that took a placebo.
Weight Loss
Taking bromelain has been touted as a way to lose weight, but little research has examined whether bromelain helps with weight loss. Therefore there is not enough scientific support for this claim.
What Are the Side Effects of Bromelain?
Side effects commonly associated with bromelain include diarrhea and upset stomach.
In certain people, bromelain may trigger allergic reactions and asthma symptoms, such as breathing problems, tightness in the throat, hives, rash, and itchy skin. You should avoid bromelain supplementation if you are sensitive or allergic to pineapples. You may also be susceptible to an allergic reaction if you have an allergy to:
If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking bromelain.
Bromelain supplements are not recommended for use for people who are:
Dosage: How Much Bromelain Should I Take?
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs.
Eating large amounts of pineapple will not give the same effect as taking a bromelain supplement. Bromelain is primarily found in the stem of the pineapple, which is not normally eaten.
When used as a digestive aid, bromelain is typically taken with meals. When used for inflammatory conditions, it’s often taken between meals on an empty stomach to maximize absorption.
There is no standardized dose of bromelain. Doses are discussed in milligrams or enzyme activity units, known as milk clotting units (MCU) or gelatin dissolving units (GDU). Studies of bromelain supplementation for specific uses indicate that doses can range from 200 to 500 mg, however, the research has not established a maximum dose per day.
Before starting bromelain, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about the right dosage for you. Make sure to read the product label for instructions on its use.
It should also be noted that avoiding or delaying standard care and self-treating a chronic condition with bromelain supplements may have serious consequences. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are considering using bromelain for any condition.
What Happens if I Take Too Much Bromelain?
Health care providers generally recommend taking bromelain for no longer than eight to 10 consecutive days.
Based on animal studies, bromelain is thought to have low toxicity.However, taking more bromelain than recommended may increase the likelihood of experiencing side effects, such as:
To prevent toxicity, follow your healthcare provider’s advice on how to take bromelain safely.
Since bromelain may slow blood clotting, using it in combination with prescribed blood thinners could increase the risk of bleeding and bruising. These can include:
Similarly, use caution with supplements that also have a bleeding risk, such asgarlicand ginkgo biloba.
Bromelain may also increase the absorption of certain antibiotics, such as tetracycline and amoxicillin, which can increase their side effects.
Bromelain may also increase the strength of sedatives, such as barbiturates, antiseizure medications (Dilantin), insomnia medication (Ambien and Lunesta), and benzodiazepines (Xanax and Valium).
Before starting bromelain, tell your healthcare provider about any medicines you are taking or plan to take, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
It is essential to carefully read the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss any potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.
How to Store Bromelain
Store Bromelain supplements in a cool and dry place. Supplements and medications should always be kept out of reach of children.
How to Find Quality Forms of Bromelain
Bromelain supplements are sold as powders, creams, tablets, or capsules, either alone or in combination with other ingredients. Bromelain may also be found as a single ingredient or in combined products marketed for digestive health that provide multiple types of enzymes.
Since bromelain is an enzyme, the label should list the amount of enzyme activity in units, as well as its quantity in mass.
Summary
Bromelain is an enzyme found naturally in the juice and stems of pineapples that plays a role in protein breakdown. As a supplement, some research shows that it may help reduce pain and inflammation in some conditions. However, there is not enough high-quality evidence to recommend it for these uses.
Taken alone, it is not likely to help with digestive problems. Although marketed for several other health conditions, there is not enough evidence to support these claims.
Before starting to take any new supplements, talk to your healthcare provider to be sure the supplement is appropriate and safe for you to take.
22 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Passali D, Passali GC, Bellussi LM, et al.Bromelain’s penetration into the blood and sinonasal mucosa in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2018;38(3):225-228. doi:10.14639/0392-100X-1693
Rathnavelu V, Alitheen NB, Sohila S, Kanagesan S, Ramesh R.Potential role of bromelain in clinical and therapeutic applications.Biomed Rep. 2016;5(3):283-288. doi:10.3892/br.2016.72
Wu AW, Gettelfinger JD, Ting JY, Mort C, Higgins TS.Alternative therapies for sinusitis and rhinitis: a systematic review utilizing a modified Delphi method.Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2020;10(4):496-504. doi:10.1002/alr.22488
Pothacharoen P, Chaiwongsa R, Chanmee T, et al.Bromelain extract exerts antiarthritic effects via chondroprotection and the suppression of tnf-α–induced nf-κb and mapk signaling.Plants. 2021;10(11):2273. doi:10.3390/plants10112273
Henrotin YE, Michlmayr C, Rau SM, Quirke AM, Bigoni M, Ueberall MA.Combination of enzymes and rutin to manage osteoarthritis symptoms: lessons from a narrative review of the literature.Rheumatol Ther. 2022;9(5):1305-1327. doi:10.1007/s40744-022-00472-7
Liu S, Zhao H, Wang Y, Zhao H, Ma C.Oral bromelain for the control of facial swelling, trismus, and pain after mandibular third molar surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2019;77(8):1566-1574. doi:10.1016/j.joms.2019.02.044
Mendes ML, do Nascimento-Júnior EM, Reinheimer DM, Martins-Filho PR.Efficacy of proteolytic enzyme bromelain on health outcomes after third molar surgery. Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2019;24(1):e61-e69. doi:10.4317/medoral.22731
de Souza GM, Fernandes IA, Dos Santos CRR, Falci SGM.Is bromelain effective in controlling the inflammatory parameters of pain, edema, and trismus after lower third molar surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis.Phytother Res. 2019;33(3):473-481. doi:10.1002/ptr.6244
de A C Almeida R, de Sousa Lima FCM, do E Vasconcelos BC.Is bromelain an effective drug for the control of pain and inflammation associated with impacted third molar surgery? Systematic review and meta-analysis.Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2019;48(5):651-658. doi:10.1016/j.ijom.2018.07.028
Salehi SH, Momeni M, Vahdani M, Moradi M.Clinical value of debriding enzymes as an adjunct to standard early surgical excision in human burns: a systematic review.J Burn Care Res. 2020;41(6):1224-1230. doi:10.1093/jbcr/iraa074
Ma JW, Hung JL, Takeuchi M, Shieh PC, Horng CT.A New Pharmacological Vitreolysis through the Supplement of Mixed Fruit Enzymes for Patients with Ocular Floaters or Vitreous Hemorrhage-Induced Floaters. J Clin Med. 2022 Nov 13;11(22):6710. doi: 10.3390/jcm11226710
Gremmler L, Kutschan S, Dörfler J, Büntzel J, Büntzel J, Hübner J.Proteolytic enzyme therapy in complementary oncology: a systematic review.Anticancer Res. 2021;41(7):3213-3232. doi:10.21873/anticanres.15108
Stone MB, Merrick MA, Ingersoll CD, Edwards JE.Preliminary comparison of bromelain and Ibuprofen for delayed onset muscle soreness management.Clin J Sport Med. 2002;12(6):373-378. doi:10.1097/00042752-200211000-00009
Shing, C. M., Chong, S., Driller, M. W., & Fell, J. W. (2015).Acute protease supplementation effects on muscle damage and recovery across consecutive days of cycle racing.European Journal of Sport Science,16(2), 206–212. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2014.1001878
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Bromelain.
Chakraborty AJ, Mitra S, Tallei TE, et al.Bromelain a potential bioactive compound: a comprehensive overview from a pharmacological perspective.Life. 2021;11(4):317. doi:10.3390/life11040317
Chakraborty AJ, Mitra S, Tallei TE, et al.Bromelain a potential bioactive compound: a comprehensive overview from a pharmacological perspective.Life (Basel). 2021;11(4):317. doi:10.3390/life11040317
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Mount Sinai.Bromelain.
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