Bromelain
An enzyme from pineapple used for digestion and inflammation.
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What it is
Bromelain is a protein-digesting enzyme extracted from pineapple stems. It's used both as a digestive aid and for its anti-inflammatory effects on swelling.
How it works
Bromelain is a protein-digesting enzyme from pineapple stems. Beyond aiding protein digestion, it appears to reduce swelling and inflammation, which is the basis for its use after injury or surgery.
What it's been studied for
Taken to support digestion and to help reduce swelling and inflammation, such as after injury or surgery.
What the evidence shows
Bromelain has some evidence for reducing swelling and pain, particularly after surgery or injury, and it aids protein digestion. Reasonable support for those specific uses.
Who should consider it
It's used to support digestion and to help reduce swelling and inflammation, such as after an injury or a dental or surgical procedure. It has some evidence for those specific uses. Avoid it with a pineapple allergy.
Amounts commonly studied
Dosed in activity units (GDU or MCU) rather than just mg; taken between meals for anti-inflammatory effects or with meals for digestion.
How to take it
It's dosed in activity units (GDU or MCU) rather than just milligrams — taken between meals for anti-inflammatory effects, or with meals for digestion.
Forms & absorption
Capsules or tablets; look for the activity-unit rating, not just the milligrams.
Food sources
Fresh pineapple (especially the core) contains bromelain, though less than a concentrated supplement.
Safety & interactions
Generally well tolerated; may cause digestive upset and can thin the blood, so coordinate with a provider if you take anticoagulants or before surgery. Avoid with a pineapple allergy.
Myths & what it won't do
Myth: bromelain is only a digestive aid. Reality: taken between meals it also has evidence for reducing swelling and pain after injury or surgery. Myth: milligrams tell you the strength. Reality: enzyme activity (GDU/MCU) matters more than the raw milligram amount.
Common questions
- Digestion or inflammation — how do I take it?
- With meals for digestion; between meals for the anti-inflammatory (anti-swelling) effect.
- What are GDU and MCU?
- They're units of enzyme activity — a better measure of bromelain's strength than milligrams alone.
- Any cautions?
- Avoid it with a pineapple allergy; it may also thin the blood, so coordinate around anticoagulants or surgery.
The amounts listed here are what published research has used — not a prescription or a recommended dose for you. Confirm anything you plan to take with your own healthcare provider, especially if you take medications, are pregnant or nursing, or have a health condition.
Related goals
Research on Bromelain
Recommendations on this page are informed by published research. This is educational information, not medical advice.
- 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. View study →Note: Pooled a few trials and found bromelain reduced pain, swelling, and jaw stiffness after wisdom-tooth surgery; the authors called for higher-quality studies.