Bromelain, a natural proteolytic enzyme found in pineapples, has side effects ranging from mild to severe, including nausea, diarrhea, and allergic reactions. It is used as a digestive aid, anti-inflammatory, and anticoagulant, but those with gastrointestinal inflammation or taking blood-thinning medication should avoid it.
Bromelain is a natural proteolytic or protein-digesting enzyme, with side effects that can range from mild to severe. Reactions can include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and drowsiness, and some women have reported heavy menstrual bleeding. Other side effects of bromelain include allergic reactions, such as increased heart rate, hives, and throat tightness. On rare occasions, asthma symptoms have been documented as a side effect of bromelain. People who are at risk of experiencing side effects from bromelain include those with known allergies to any of several things, including pineapple, wheat, bee stings, cypress pollen, birch pollen, kiwi, papaya, and grass.
Also to blame for the sore mouth some people tend to develop after eating fresh pineapple, bromelain is extracted from the stem and juice of the common pineapple plant. The natives of Central and South America have known the positive effects of pineapple and have used it medicinally for centuries. In addition to being used to treat digestive disorders, pineapple has also been used to treat skin conditions and to promote healing in general. Bromelain is now manufactured in capsule or pill form and is sold over the counter in supermarkets, pharmacies, and health food stores.
As a natural digestive enzyme, this readily available dietary supplement claims to aid in the digestive process, easing the load on the gastrointestinal system. People with disorders related to gastrointestinal inflammation may experience side effects from bromelain and should not use it. Others find it helpful for nausea, heartburn, acid reflux, and other digestion-related conditions.
As an anti-inflammatory agent, bromelain is widely used for arthritic pain and muscle pain. In Germany, bromelain is used as a standard protocol in postoperative care. The anti-inflammatory properties of bromelain have also been shown to be helpful in reducing the painful symptoms of engorgement in lactating women. People who are not susceptible to the side effects of bromelain also find it useful in boosting the human immune system, making it a promising adjunctive therapy to cancer treatments such as chemotherapy.
Bromelain is also known for its anticoagulant or anticoagulant properties. It is generally considered safe in moderation, but people taking any type of blood-thinning medication should avoid bromelain to avoid side effects. Eating pineapple while taking blood thinners shouldn’t cause a problem, because bromelain is more concentrated in the stem and juice of the pineapple than in the fruit, but consulting a doctor may help resolve any concerns.
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