Bromelain: what are the therapeutic properties

Knowing well the properties of bromelain and knowing what it is for, can be very useful, since this nutraceutical substance of natural origin has countless beneficial properties in the clinical setting.

Bromelain is found in the pulp, in the skin, and especially in the stem of the fruits of pineapple (or pineapple comosus), a plant native to tropical America that belongs to the bromeliad family, widely used in the kitchen as an ingredient in raw and cooked recipes.

But what is bromelain in fact? It is a proteolytic enzyme, i.e. an enzyme with proteolytic activity, able to digest other proteins and degrade them into amino acids, which is used in different types of products, such as supplements, ointments or creams, thanks to its numerous positive effects.

In fact, bromelain has digestive, draining, diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties. But its therapeutic use is also effective in the treatment of infections, edemas of various kinds, traumas, wounds, etc.

Properties of Bromelain: why is it used?

The use of Bromelain is particularly suitable for:

• help digestion;
• improve muscle function;
• reduce the inflammatory process and edematous states;
• control the course of autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis));
• promote tissue healing and remove burn-damaged cells;
• improve blood circulation;
• counteract skin trophism and skin blemishes (phlebitis, thrombophlebitis, cellulite, varicose veins, etc.)
• relieve and reduce muscle pain;
• treat disorders of the respiratory tract;
• relax muscles.

Bromelain: properties and effectiveness

Now let’s see what are the specific therapeutic properties of bromelain and its beneficial effects on health.

• Draining action: bromelain stimulates diuresis, normalizes the structure of the subcutaneous and cutaneous tissue and eliminates fluid stagnation (water retention), so it can help for the prevention and treatment of cellulite.
• Mucolytic action: decongests and clears the mucous membranes in the presence of catarrhal inflammation (an inflammation of the airways that manifests itself with cough) and acute sinusitis (inflammation of the paranasal sinuses that causes flu-like symptoms).
• Digestive action: just like papain (an enzyme found in papaya), bromelain acts at the gastric level, breaking down the protein substances of ingested foods into amino acids. In other words, this enzyme fragments very large molecules (which otherwise could not be digested) into smaller units making them, therefore, easier to assimilate. For this reason, bromelain can be effective in cases of intolerances (to gluten or glucose) and in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases, generally associated with deficiencies of digestive enzymes.
• Antithrombotic action: dissolves atherosclerotic plaques and prevents the formation of thrombi inside blood vessels.
• Antiplatelet action: inhibits the aggregation of platelets, keeping the blood more fluid; therefore it can be effective in the treatment of certain cardiovascular diseases, such as arterial hypertension (more commonly called “high blood pressure”), vascular diseases and stroke.
• Fibrinolytic activity: breaks down fibrin molecules (a protein produced by the blood in case of tissue damage) which makes the blood thicker and can generate clots.
• Immunomodulatory action: promotes the response of the immune system to cellular stress; Therefore it can be useful in the treatment of wounds and skin burns and in that of lesions characteristic of ulcerative colitis (a chronic inflammation accompanied by lesions affecting the last intestinal tract).
• Anti-inflammatory and partially analgesic activity.
• Anti-edema activity: facilitates the drainage of liquids by reducing venous stasis.
• Antioxidant action: counteracts the formation of free radicals, protecting the health and well-being of the eyes and heart.

The anti-inflammatory properties of Bromelain

The effectiveness of Bromelain in treating the anti-inflammatory process compared to other anti-inflammatory drugs lies in its different mechanism of action.

While the classic NSAIDs block the synthesis of prostaglandins, bromelain, on the other hand, acts selectively, inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins in favor of anti-inflammatory ones.

Bromelain acts on many aspects of inflammation, because it is also able to reduce pain and counteract swelling associated with inflammatory states, and to speed up healing times in case of:

• sports injuries,
• Bruises
• contractures,
• Stretches
• muscle tears.

It has also proved useful in the treatment of inflammatory states associated with various pathological conditions.

For example, it appears to be effective in reducing the swelling, stiffness and joint pain associated with osteoarthritis (a chronic condition that affects the cartilage and surrounding tissues, damaging them) and in attenuating the effects of asthma and nasal allergy.

Finally, the anti-inflammatory action is linked to the anti-edematous action: bromelain, in fact, promotes the reabsorption of edema, bruises, hematomas and infiltrates in soft tissues, formed as a result of wounds, traumas or surgery.

Contraindications of Bromelain

At this point, some warnings are appropriate.

The use of Bromelain is contraindicated especially in pregnancy and in case of hypersensitivity to the active ingredient.

In addition, bromelain is not recommended:

• in the presence of diagnosis of gastric or duodenal ulcer;
• at the same time as therapies based on some antibiotics (in particular amoxicillin and tetracyclines);
• in case of taking synthetic antiplatelet, anticoagulant or anti-inflammatory drugs;
• in subjects with severe renal or hepatic dysfunction;
• in those suffering from coagulation disorders.

Therefore, before use, it is always better to seek the advice of your doctor, so as to avoid the unpleasant side effects that can cause its administration (such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea).

As for how to use, it is recommended to take it on an empty stomach if it is used as an anti-inflammatory while, if as a digestive, it is better to take it after meals.

Finally, remember that the intake of bromelain – through the fruit that contains it or through specific supplements – in itself is not sufficient to guarantee the benefits described above. To perceive its positive effects, a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet are also needed.

The composition of Bromelain

If the pineapple pulp is particularly rich in vitamins (such as vitamin A, B12, C), mineral salts (such as copper and zinc) and fiber, it is above all the stem that contains bromelain.

Bromelain more than a single enzyme, consists of a complex mixture of different enzymes with proteolytic activity and other components such as:

• phosphatase;
• glucosidase;
• peroxidase;
• cellulase;
• glycoproteins and proteinase inhibitors (such as cystatin).

The set of these proteolytic enzymes gives bromelain very useful therapeutic properties, exploited in the composition of food supplements, but also of ointments, creams and emollient gels. For example, there are products containing bromelain that help promote the drainage of liquids, helping to combat cellulite.