Bromelain or pineapple extract is a compound composed of proteases commonly found in pineapple. Although it is widely known for its ability to assist in digestion and decomposition of protein, its effect is actually much more than that. The good news is that bromelain is available on the market as a supplement and an aid for the treatment of diseases.

The history of bromelain is inseparable from pineapple, because pineapple is the only known major source of this group of enzymes. Bromelain was first discovered by chemist Vicente Marcano in 1891, and then extracted by another chemist, Russell Henry Chittenden. The English name of bromelain was originally “bromelin”, which was described as “proteolytic enzyme in pineapple juice”.

The first major source is pineapple fruit, because scientists have found that mature pineapple stems have a higher bromelain content.

After its discovery, after several years of development, the production of bromelain has expanded. Its commercialization has led manufacturers to develop faster extraction technologies to achieve large-scale production and purification. Today, bromelain supplements are used for many health purposes.

It has been observed that the effect of bromelain depends on the time of administration. For example, if taken after a meal, it can help promote digestion and absorption, but if taken on an empty stomach, it can help relieve inflammation.

Where does bromelain come from?

The only major source of bromelain is the pineapple plant. This enzyme is usually extracted from pineapple stems or young pineapple fruits, but it has been found that other parts of the pineapple plant also have lower bromelain content. At present, no other fruits have been found to contain large amounts of bromelain. According to different extraction locations, bromelain mixtures are currently divided into two types. They are:

  • Stem Bromelain (SBM) — This type of bromelain is the most common in the market because it is cheaper to extract and the pineapple stem is basically of no other value. The extraction method is by centrifugation, ultrafiltration or lyophilization. When referring to or using bromelain in mainstream products, it is likely to refer to this type.
  • Fruit bromelain (FBM) — According to research, fruit bromelain has lower digestive activity than stem bromelain, but its proteolytic activity is better. Unlike stem bromelain, this type of bromelain is not widely used due to its limited supply.

Bromelain Benefits:

As a protease, bromelain’s efficacy and role are to improve protein absorption. However, bromelain is widely used to promote wound healing and help treat many diseases. For example, if you suffer from chronic inflammation or sports injuries, consider taking bromelain supplements to help your body recover. Other benefits you can get from this supplement include:

  • Reduce inflammation and swelling — Bromelain may help relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatism. It is also used to help sprain and strain recovery by reducing swelling and promoting tissue healing. For people who are currently taking arthritis treatment drugs, consider switching to bromelain as a more natural alternative.
  • Improve immune function—Research shows that bromelain promotes a healthy immune system by regulating a variety of inflammatory proteins during cellular stress.
  • Accelerate wound healing — It has been observed that the use of bromelain after surgery can promote soft tissue healing and reduce bruising. Patients taking bromelain also had a shorter wound healing time than patients who did not take bromelain.
  • Relieve symptoms of sinusitis — Sinusitis refers to inflammation of the lining of the sinuses, usually caused by infection, nasal problems or allergies. Bromelain is a supplement known to relieve the symptoms of sinusitis. When combined with quercetin, bromelain can help reduce sinusitis, and quercetin acts as an antihistamine.
  • Promote blood flow-Bromelain can reduce platelet aggregation in blood vessels and reduce the chance of clot formation, helping to promote healthy blood flow. This may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases.

Others claim that bromelain can help induce menstruation by softening the endometrium. It is said that increased blood flow also helps prevent menstrual cramps.

What are the uses of bromelain?

Because bromelain contains many amazing ingredients, it is not surprising that it is used to treat or reduce disease symptoms. Although bromelain is usually prescribed or recommended by doctors for postoperative patients or patients with chronic sinusitis, it has other uses. This includes:

  • Treatment of local burns—Research has shown that bromelain can help remove dead skin cells from third-degree burns and assist in the healing of first- and second-degree burns. However, for severe burns, do not use any bromelain ointment without medical advice.
  • Relieve indigestion and heartburn — Bromelain is well known to help relieve indigestion and bloating, especially when taken with other supplemental enzymes.
  • Relieve the discomfort caused by insect bites-applying bromelain directly to the insect bite can reduce inflammation and discomfort.
  • Meat tenderizer-Pineapple has been used in cooking to soften meat. Currently, bromelain is sold in powder form as a meat tenderizer, and it is usually combined with papain, an enzyme found in papaya plants. In fact, because bromelain is a powerful meat tenderizer, if it is used to marinate meat for too long, it can turn the meat into a paste.

The above is to provide information about bromelain. We will help you provide better quality bromelain at a reasonable price. Your comments and inquiries are welcome.