What is Bromelain? A Review of Benefits, Side Effects, and Dosage

Are you fond of eating pineapples? Didn’t you know that one of the most popular natural supplement is derived from this very nutritious fruit? Bromelain or “pineapple extract” is composed of compounds with a protein-digesting enzyme. This enzyme can be broken down through digestion and is absorbed by the body and blood.
Bromelain is making a buzz in natural food supplement circle because of its long list of helpful benefits. From protein digestion to nasal inflammation and even the strengthening of the immune system. However, before using this natural food supplement, it is best that you have a thorough understanding of how it works, the pros and cons, as well as how it will affect your body.

What is Bromelain?

Bromelain is proteolytic or a protein-digesting enzyme that is found in pineapples (Ananas comosus). Since the 1800’s, it is believed that Bromelain has a great role in digestion. This is the reason why many practitioners use it for decades to aid wound healing as well as to maintain a healthy body to prevent illness and irritation. For it to be effective, it is important that your small intestines absorb the intact enzyme which will make the systemic effects possible like reducing redness.

These are the dosage recommendation for different health cases that can be treated with Bromelain:

Arthritis at 400 mg twice a day
Allergies at 1000mg daily to be taken with quercetin
Cancer at 2000 mg a day with other proteolytic enzymes
Digestion at 500 mg with meals
Surgery recovery at 1000 mg three times a day between meals

Bromelain Benefits

South American people have used pineapples to reduce an upset stomach and prevent irritation as part of their traditional way to medicate. Through the years, it has proven to provide amazing benefits with supporting studies to support it. More people are using Bromelain not only for its anti-inflammatory properties, but to help boost the immune system as well.

Bromelain is used to reduce Inflammation

In Europe, Bromelain is approved as an effective natural remedy for swelling especially after a surgery. According to studies, it can reduce swelling, stop the bruising and speed up recovery and alleviate pain after a surgical procedure. There has been a research conducted to 150 women who have undergone episiotomies. The results showed that women who have taken Bromelain had excellent recovery compared to those who did not.

Bromelain side effects

If you’re taking blood thinners, you have to take extra precaution when using Bromelain since its primary effect is to prevent blood clots. Do not overdose with Bromelain in these cases since it can be dangerous. Having your platelet count checked by a healthcare provider regularly is important. Keep your iron levels up to avoid blood thinning disorders.

Where to buy Bromelain

Bromelain is usually found in health grocery stores and can sometimes be found on selected drugstores. However, most Bromelain users nowadays order this food supplement online. But be careful when doing transactions online to avoid being a victim of a scam and end up purchasing counterfeit products. It is best to visit websites and forums that talk about Bromelain for you to find a legit and reputable supplier.

Bromelain Reviews

There is no doubt why Bromelain is one of the most popular natural supplement. Because of its high rate of efficacy, this supplement is well recommended even by healthcare providers worldwide. You can find a lot of positive reviews online and blog posts about how effective Bromelain is and how it can change a person’s life.