What Are the Functions of Bromelain Enzyme in Pineapple?
Pineapple fruit provides a readily available food source of bromelain enzyme. The enzyme is also available as a supplement. Supplements manufactured to support joint health often use bromelain in their formulas. The American Cancer Society reports that there is evidence to support the use of bromelain enzyme for the treatment of indigestion and inflammation, but more research is needed to support the evidence.
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Bromelain Enzyme
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Pineapple fruit's flesh and stem hold bromelain enzyme. Bromelain enzyme contains sulfur. It also possesses proteolytic properties, or elements that break down protein.
Digestive Aid
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Eating pineapple or taking bromelain enzyme supplements after meals may aid digestion. Bromelain enzyme stimulates the muscles of the intestines and breaks down protein. The American Cancer Society's article on bromelain, which describes the sources and properties of the enzyme, supports its use for this purpose; they also state that more comparative research regarding its effectiveness needs to be done.
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Anti-inflammatory
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"Bromelain: biochemistry, pharmacology and medical use," an article by H. R. Mauer, which supports the use of bromelain as a treatment for inflammation and for the treatment of burns was published in the August 2001 volume of Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences.
Other Uses
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The "About Herbs, Botanicals and Other Products" section of the Sloan--Kettering Cancer Center website names the following conditions as those believed to respond beneficially to treatment including the use of bromelain: bruises, burns,cancer prevention, cancer treatment,circulatory disorders, and edema. According to Medline Plus, a publication of the U. S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, the scientific evidence for the use of bromelain as treatment for these conditions is "unclear."
Cautions
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Medline Plus describes some possible allergic reactions and drug interactions on their information page about bromelain. As with the use of any supplement or medicine, consult with your physician before determining a course of treatment.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of darwin Bell
