Bromelain
Other ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Proteolytic enzyme from pineapple with anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Bromelain is an other most often used for anti-inflammatory, digestion, sinus relief. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate. A typical adult dose is 500-1,000 mg daily (2,400 GDU/g), commonly taken as enteric-coated for systemic effects; regular for digestion. This profile indexes 17 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating moderate. Most-documented uses: anti-inflammatory, digestion, sinus relief. 17 sources indexed (1964–2025), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Cysteine protease that breaks down proteins, reduces kinin and fibrin, and inhibits prostaglandin synthesis. Enhances absorption of other supplements, especially quercetin and curcumin.12
Dosing & protocol.
Empty stomach for anti-inflammatory effects; with food for digestion11,2
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Bromelain 2,400 GDU/g.
Assumes 500-1,000 mg/day. Vendor basis: NOW/iHerb, Vitacost, Life Extension, and Amazon marketplace; high-potency systemic enzyme products cost more. Updated 2026-05-28.
The same dose, as food.
How much you'd eat to match a supplemental dose.
Bromelain is highest in pineapple stem and core; supplement-strength GDU activity is not reliably matched by food.
Full safety detail.
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
8- 1Bromelain and liver health: A comprehensive systematic review of preclinical studiesPMIDPereira IC, Pedrosa-Santos ÁMC, Martins JA et al. · Clinical nutrition ESPEN · 2025
Pereira IC, Pedrosa-Santos ÁMC, Martins JA et al.. Bromelain and liver health: A comprehensive systematic review of preclinical studies. Clinical nutrition ESPEN. 2025
- 2Supplementation Containing Bromelain on the Side Effects of Oncological Treatment: Systematic ReviewPMIDPereira IC, Passos RB, Viana CMC et al. · Journal of medicinal food · 2025
Pereira IC, Passos RB, Viana CMC et al.. Supplementation Containing Bromelain on the Side Effects of Oncological Treatment: Systematic Review. Journal of medicinal food. 2025
- 3Evaluating the role of bromelain in diabetes management: a systematic review of research evidence and mechanisms of actionPMIDMohammed JS, Ahmed AT, Singh M et al. · The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology · 2025
Mohammed JS, Ahmed AT, Singh M et al.. Evaluating the role of bromelain in diabetes management: a systematic review of research evidence and mechanisms of action. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology. 2025
- 4Anti-inflammatory Role of Trypsin, Rutoside, and Bromelain Combination in Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis: A Systematic ReviewPMIDShekhar A, Maddheshiya N, Adit et al. · Cureus · 2024
Shekhar A, Maddheshiya N, Adit et al.. Anti-inflammatory Role of Trypsin, Rutoside, and Bromelain Combination in Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2024
- 5Efficacy and safety of bromelain: A systematic review and meta-analysisPMIDZeng Q et al. · Complement Ther Med · 2023
Bromelain may be effective against sinusitis but was not effective for cardiovascular diseases; overall safety profile is favorable.
- 6Efficacy of proteolytic enzyme bromelain on health outcomes after third molar surgery. Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trialsPMIDde Souza GM et al. · J Dent · 2019
Bromelain has a beneficial effect in reducing pain after third molar surgery and positive impact on patient quality of life.
- 7Oral Bromelain for the Control of Facial Swelling, Trismus, and Pain After Mandibular Third Molar Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisPMIDLiu S, Zhao H, Wang Y et al. · Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery : official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons · 2019
Liu S, Zhao H, Wang Y et al.. Oral Bromelain for the Control of Facial Swelling, Trismus, and Pain After Mandibular Third Molar Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery : official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. 2019
- 8Is There a Role for Arnica and Bromelain in Prevention of Post-Procedure Ecchymosis or Edema? A Systematic Review of the LiteraturePMIDHo D, Jagdeo J, Waldorf HA · Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] · 2016
Ho D, Jagdeo J, Waldorf HA. Is There a Role for Arnica and Bromelain in Prevention of Post-Procedure Ecchymosis or Edema? A Systematic Review of the Literature. Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.]. 2016
Randomized controlled trials
2- 9Comparison of Efficacy of Combination of Bromelain, Rutocide, and Trypsin With Serratiopeptidase on Postoperative Sequelae Following Mandibular Third Molar Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.PMIDBhuvan Chandra R, Selvarasu K, Krishnan M · Cureus · 2023
Bromelain-rutoside-trypsin combination showed comparable efficacy to serratiopeptidase in reducing postoperative swelling, pain, and trismus following mandibular third molar surgery.
- 10Efficacy and tolerability of bromelain in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis--a pilot studyPMIDHelms S et al. · Altern Ther Health Med · 2013
Bromelain improved symptom scores and quality of life in chronic rhinosinusitis, more effective in cases without nasal polyps.
Reviews & position papers
4- 11Bromelain supplementation and inflammatory markers: A systematic review of clinical trialsPMIDRocha MRS et al. · Clin Nutr ESPEN · 2023
Seven RCTs showed bromelain reduced inflammatory parameters in most studies, though effect was inconsistent due to population heterogeneity and dose variation.
- 12Bromelain: a review of its mechanisms, pharmacological effects and potential applicationsPMIDHikisz P et al. · Food Funct · 2023
Bromelain is a cysteine protease that reduces kinin and fibrin, inhibits prostaglandin synthesis, and has anti-inflammatory, anti-edematous, and fibrinolytic activities.
- 13Properties and therapeutic application of bromelain: a reviewPMIDPavan R et al. · Biotechnol Res Int · 2012
Bromelain is absorbable without losing proteolytic activity; treats sinusitis, surgical trauma, thrombophlebitis; enhances absorption of antibiotics and other drugs.
- 14Bromelain as a treatment for osteoarthritis: a review of clinical studiesSource linkedPMIDBrien S, Lewith G, Walker A et al. · Evid Based Complement Alternat Med · 2004
Observational studies
1- 15Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with bromelain: a pilot studySource linkedPMIDCohen A, Goldman J · Pa Med J · 1964
Reference material
2- 16Colletti A, Procchio C, Pisano M et al.. An Evaluation of the Effects of Pineapple-Extract and Bromelain-Based Treatment after Mandibular Third Molar Surgery: A Randomized Three-Arm Clinical Study. Nutrients. 2024Source linkedPMID
- 17Tacias-Pascacio VG, Castañeda-Valbuena D, Tavano O et al.. A review on the immobilization of bromelain. International journal of biological macromolecules. 2024Source linkedPMID
Common questions.
Quick answers about Bromelain, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Bromelain?
Proteolytic enzyme from pineapple with anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits.
What is Bromelain used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Bromelain include: Anti-inflammatory; Digestion; Sinus relief; Recovery from surgery/injury. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate.
What is a typical dose of Bromelain?
A typical adult dose of Bromelain is 500-1,000 mg daily (2,400 GDU/g). The commonly recommended form is Enteric-coated for systemic effects; regular for digestion. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Bromelain?
Reported side effects include gi upset, diarrhea, allergic reactions, increased bleeding risk. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Bromelain?
NutriStack rates this as Moderate, meaning several aligned RCTs or one large RCT plus supporting reviews. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Bromelain in NutriStack.
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