Evidence supporting the use of: Bromelain
For the health condition: Protein Digestion (poor)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Bromelain is a mixture of proteolytic enzymes derived from the pineapple plant (Ananas comosus). Its use in supporting protein digestion is primarily justified by scientific evidence rather than traditional use. Bromelain has demonstrated the ability to hydrolyze proteins into peptides and amino acids, effectively acting as a digestive aid. Several in vitro and animal studies have confirmed its proteolytic activity, showing that bromelain can break down dietary proteins similarly to endogenous digestive enzymes like pepsin and trypsin. Human studies are more limited but suggest potential benefits in individuals with pancreatic insufficiency or those experiencing poor protein digestion. The rationale for its use as a supplement is based on its resistance to gastric acid, allowing it to remain active in the acidic environment of the stomach, where it can assist in protein breakdown. Bromelain is commonly included in over-the-counter digestive enzyme blends for this reason. However, while laboratory and animal studies consistently show its proteolytic effects, clinical trials in humans are relatively few and often small in scale or of low methodological quality. As a result, the evidence is moderate (3/5): there is a plausible mechanism and some supportive data, but large, well-designed clinical trials are lacking. Thus, bromelain’s use for poor protein digestion is scientifically plausible and somewhat validated, but more robust clinical research is needed to confirm its efficacy in humans.

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