Nutritional Supplement

Bromelain

Also indexed as: Pineapple Enzyme

Possible Deficiencies

Since bromelain is not essential, deficiencies of this plant-based enzyme do not exist.

Side Effects

Bromelain is generally safe and free of side effects when taken in moderate amounts. However, one preliminary report indicates increased heart rate with the use of bromelain.51 In addition, some people are allergic to bromelain. One woman reportedly developed a hives and severe swelling after taking bromelain, even though she had tolerated bromelain on two other occasions previously.52

References

1. Cirelli MG. Five years experience with bromelains in therapy of edema and inflammation in postoperative tissue reaction, skin infections and trauma. Clin Med 1967;74(6):55-9.

2. Trickett P. Proteolytic enzymes in treatment of athletic injuries. Appl Ther 1964;6:647-52.

3. Sweeny FJ. Treatment of athletic injuries with an oral proteolytic enzyme. Med Times 1963:91:765.

4. Boyne PS, Medhurst H. Oral anti-inflammatory enzyme therapy in injuries in professional footballers. Practitioner 1967;198:543-6.

5. Deitrick RE. Oral proteolytic enzymes in the treatment of athletic injuries: A double-blind study. Pennsylvania Med J 1965;Oct:35-7.

6. Rathgeber WF. The use of proteolytic enzymes (Chymoral) in sporting injuries. S Afr Med J 1971;45:181-3.

7. Buck JE, Phillips N. Trial of Chymoral in professional footballers. Br J Clin Pract 1970;24:375-7.

8. Tsomides J, Goldberg RI. Controlled evaluation of oral chymotrypsin-trypsin treatment of injuries to the head and face. Clin Med 1969;76(11):40.

9. Holt HT. Carica papaya as ancillary therapy for athletic injuries. Curr Ther Res 1969;11:621-4.

10. Blonstein JL. Oral enzyme tablets in the treatment of boxing injuries. Practitioner 1967;198:547.

11. Baumüller M. Therapy of ankle joint distortions with hydrolytic enzymes—results from a double blind clinical trial. In Hermans GPH, Mosterd WL, eds. Sports, Medicine and Health. Amsterdam: Excerpta Medica, 1990, 1137.

12. Craig RP. The quantitative evaluation of the use of oral proteolytic enzymes in the treatment of sprained ankles. Injury 1975;6:313-6.

13. Tassman G, Zafran J, Zayon G. A double-blind crossover study of a plant proteolytic enzyme in oral surgery. J Dent Med 1965;20:51-4.

14. Blonstein J. Control of swelling in boxing injuries. Practitioner 1960;203:206.

15. Seligman B. Bromelain: an anti-inflammatory agent. Angiology 1962;13:508-10.

16. Cirelli MG. Treatment of inflammation and edema with bromelain. Delaware Med J 1962;34:159-67.

17. Masson M. Bromelain in the treatment of blunt injuries to the musculoskeletal system. A case observation study by an orthopedic surgeon in private practice. Fortschr Med 1995;113:303-6.

18. Seligman B. Bromelain: an anti-inflammatory agent. Angiology 1962;13:508-10.

19. Castell JV, Friedrich G, Kuhn CS, et al. Intestinal absorption of undegraded proteins in men: presence of bromelain in plasma after oral intake. Am J Physiol 1997;273:G139-46.

20. Miller JM. Absorption of orally introduced proteolytic enzymes. Clin Med 1968;75:35-42 [review].

21. Masson M. Bromelain in the treatment of blunt injuries to the musculoskeletal system. A case observation study by an orthopedic surgeon in private practice. Fortschr Med 1995;113:303-6.

22. Miller JN, Ginsberg M, McElfatrick GC, et al. The administration of bromelain orally in the treatment of inflammation and edema. Exp Med Surg 1964;22:293-9.

23. Cirelli MG. Five years experience with bromelains in therapy of edema and inflammation in postoperative tissue reaction, skin infections and trauma. Clin Med 1967;74(6):55-9.

24. Vallis C, Lund M. Effect of treatment with Carica papaya on resolution of edema and ecchymosis following rhinoplasty. Curr Ther Res 1969;11:356-9.

25. Trickett P. Proteolytic enzymes in treatment of athletic injuries. Appl Ther 1964;6:647-52.

26. Sweeny FJ. Treatment of athletic injuries with an oral proteolytic enzyme. Med Times 1963:91:765.

27. Ryan R. A double blind clinical evaluation of bromelains in the treatment of acute sinusitis. Headache 1967;7:13-7.

28. Taub SJ. The use of bromelains in sinusitis: a double-blind evaluation. EENT Monthly 1967;46(3):361-5.

29. Seltzer AP. Adjunctive use of bromelains in sinusitis: a controlled study. EENT Monthly 1967;46(10):1281-8.

30. Gaby AR. The story of bromelain. Nutr Healing May 1995:3, 4, 11.

31. Schafer A, Adelman B. Plasma inhibition of platelet function and of arachidonic acid metabolism. J Clin Invest 1985;75:456-61.

32. Tassman G, Zafran J, Zayon G. A double-blind crossover study of a plant proteolytic enzyme in oral surgery. J Dent Med 1965;20:51-4.

33. Blonstein J. Control of swelling in boxing injuries. Practitioner 1960;203:206.

34. Shoskes DA. Use of the bioflavonoid quercetin in patients with longstanding chronic prostatitis. JANA 1999;2:36-9.

35. Shoskes DA, Zeitlin SI, Shahed A, Rajfer J. Quercetin in men with category III chronic prostatitis: a preliminary prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Urology 1999; 54:960-3.

36. Izaka K, Yamada M, Kawano T, Suyama T. Gastrointestinal absorption and anti-inflammatory effect of bromelain. Jpn J Pharmacol 1972;22:519-34.

37. Mori S, Ojima Y, Hirose T, et al. The clinical effect of proteolytic enzyme containing bromelain and trypsin on urinary tract infection evaluated by double blind method. Acta Obstet Gynaecol Jpn 1972;19:147-53.

38. Seligman B. Bromelain: an anti-inflammatory agent. Angiology 1962;13:508-10.

39. Castell JV, Friedrich G, Kuhn CS, et al. Intestinal absorption of undegraded proteins in men: presence of bromelain in plasma after oral intake. Am J Physiol 1997;273:G139-46.

40. Miller JM. Absorption of orally introduced proteolytic enzymes. Clin Med 1968;75:35-42 [review].

41. Masson M. Bromelain in the treatment of blunt injuries to the musculoskeletal system. A case observation study by an orthopedic surgeon in private practice. Fortschr Med 1995;113:303-6.

42. Miller JN, Ginsberg M, McElfatrick GC, et al. The administration of bromelain orally in the treatment of inflammation and edema. Exp Med Surg 1964;22:293-9.

43. Cirelli MG. Five years experience with bromelains in therapy of edema and inflammation in postoperative tissue reaction, skin infections and trauma. Clin Med 1967;74(6):55-9.

44. Vallis C, Lund M. Effect of treatment with Carica papaya on resolution of edema and ecchymosis following rhinoplasty. Curr Ther Res 1969;11:356-9.

45. Trickett P. Proteolytic enzymes in treatment of athletic injuries. Appl Ther 1964;6:647-52.

46. Sweeny FJ. Treatment of athletic injuries with an oral proteolytic enzyme. Med Times 1963:91:765.

47. Cohen A, Goldman J. Bromelain therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Pennsylvania Med J 1964;67:27-30.

48. Nieper H. Effect of bromelain on coronary heart diseases and angina pectoris. J Int Acad Prev Med 1976;3(2):62-3.

49. Heinicke R, van der Wal L, Yokoyama M. Effect of bromelain (Ananase) on human platelet aggregation. Experientia 1972;28:844-5.

50. Gaby AR. The story of bromelain. Nutr Healing May 1995:3, 4, 11.

51. Gutfreund AE, Taussig SJ, Morris AK. Effect of oral bromelain on blood pressure and heart rate of hypertensive patients. Hawaii Med J 1978;37:143-6.

52. Nettis E, Napoli G, Ferrannini A, Tursi A. IgE-mediated allergy to bromelain. Allergy 2001;56:257-8.

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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.