Bromelain owes its name to the Latin name of the plant family to which pineapple belongs. In Zielona Góra we combine this enzyme with nattokinase, curcumin, piperine and astaxanthin in our Natto Active supplement. I have gathered here what is known for certain about bromelain: where its name comes from, which part of the pineapple it is extracted from, and what the scientific literature says about it.
⚠️ Are you taking anticoagulant medication (for example acenocoumarol or warfarin)? Preparations combining bromelain with nattokinase derived from fermented natto may affect blood clotting. Consult your diet and supplements with a doctor. See the important legal and medical information.
In short
- Bromelain is a mixture of proteolytic enzymes obtained from the edible pineapple (Ananas comosus); proteolytic enzymes break down proteins into smaller fragments.
- The name comes from Bromeliaceae, the Latin name of the plant family to which pineapple belongs, and the highest concentration of the enzyme is found in the stem, which is the core of the fruit.
- The enzyme was isolated at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries; since then it has been studied in the food industry and in food supplements.
- In the European Union, bromelain has no authorised health claim (Regulation (EC) 1924/2006), which is why we describe it in terms of its origin, structure and what has been measured in research.
Where the name comes from and what bromelain is
Bromelain is a mixture of proteolytic enzymes, that is proteins that break down other proteins into amino acids and shorter peptides. It is obtained from the edible pineapple (Ananas comosus), a plant from the family Bromeliaceae. It is precisely from the Latin name of this family that the enzyme takes its name. The highest concentration of bromelain is found in the stem, the hard core running through the centre of the fruit, which we usually discard when eating the flesh. The enzyme was isolated at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, when it was noticed that pineapple juice and flesh have the ability to break down proteins. This property is used today, for example, in the food industry as a meat tenderiser.
What research describes and what is not known
Bromelain is the subject of scientific research, including laboratory studies (in vitro) and individual clinical trials. The literature has described its enzymatic activity towards proteins and its behaviour under various physicochemical conditions.
An important methodological note: results from a test tube or from animal models do not automatically translate into effects in humans after oral intake. Bromelain is a protein molecule, and the question of to what extent it retains activity after passing through the digestive system remains a matter of discussion in the literature.
Bromelain as a component of supplements
Bromelain is sometimes a component of food supplements, occasionally in combination with other plant ingredients such as curcumin, piperine or the enzyme nattokinase. Combining several ingredients in one preparation is the manufacturer’s formulation decision, and the regulatory status of each remains separate.
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Bromelain | Mixture of proteolytic enzymes from pineapple |
| Curcumin | Plant pigment from the rhizome of turmeric |
| Piperine | A compound from black pepper |
| Nattokinase | Proteolytic enzyme from soy fermentation |
| Astaxanthin | Natural carotenoid (pigment) |
A description of a preparation’s composition is not a declaration of its action.
Bromelain in our supplement
In Zielona Góra we produce Natto Active, a supplement combining bromelain with nattokinase, curcumin, piperine and astaxanthin in a single capsule. We obtain nattokinase from our fermented natto, and we designed the formula so that all five ingredients are present in a single serving.
Safety and caution
Bromelain is a component of food and supplements that has long been in use. As with any supplement, it is worth following the dosage given by the manufacturer.
Caution is particularly advisable in several situations. People taking anticoagulant medications (for example vitamin K antagonists such as warfarin or acenocoumarol) should consult a doctor before using the preparation, as the combination of bromelain with nattokinase may affect blood clotting. Bromelain can also be an allergen in people who are allergic to pineapple or latex (the so-called latex-fruit syndrome), so caution is advisable with known allergies. We obtain nattokinase from fermented natto, which contains soy, so the preparation is not intended for people with a soy allergy. A food supplement does not replace a varied diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Summary
Bromelain is a mixture of proteolytic enzymes from the edible pineapple, described in the literature since the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. It takes its name from the plant family Bromeliaceae, to which pineapple belongs, and the highest concentration of the enzyme is found in the stem of the fruit. The available data come mainly from laboratory studies, which do not directly demonstrate an effect in humans after oral intake. The enzyme is best regarded as a natural component of food and supplements, not as a medicine.
Frequently asked questions
What is bromelain?
It is a mixture of proteolytic enzymes, that is proteins that break down other proteins, obtained from the edible pineapple (Ananas comosus). The highest concentration of the enzyme is found in the stem, the core running through the centre of the fruit.
Why is the enzyme called bromelain?
The name comes from Bromeliaceae, the Latin name of the plant family to which pineapple belongs. The enzyme was isolated at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, when the ability of pineapple juice and flesh to break down proteins was noticed.
Does bromelain have a confirmed effect in the European Union?
No. In the European Union, bromelain has no authorised health claim (Regulation (EC) 1924/2006), which is why we describe it solely in terms of its origin and structure, not its action.
Can bromelain be combined with other ingredients?
Yes, it is sometimes a component of multi-ingredient preparations, for example together with nattokinase, curcumin, piperine and astaxanthin. Combining several ingredients in one formula is the manufacturer’s decision, and the regulatory status of each remains separate.
Does using bromelain require caution?
It is worth following the dosage given by the manufacturer. People taking anticoagulant medications and people with allergies to pineapple or latex should consult a doctor before using the preparation.
Sources
- Maurer H.R. Bromelain: biochemical and pharmacological properties. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2001;58(9):1234-45. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11577981
- Pavan R. et al. Properties and Therapeutic Application of Bromelain: A Review. Biotechnol Res Int. 2012;2012:976203. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23304525
- Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 and EU Register of Nutrition and Health Claims (European Commission).
Legal and medical note. This article is educational and does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. The substances described here have no authorised health claims in the European Union (Regulation (EC) 1924/2006), and a food supplement is not a medicine and does not replace a varied diet. Full information is on the Legal and medical information page.
