Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme contained in the fruit and in the pineapple stem with an anti-inflammatory, digestive and anti-edema action. Let's find out better.

Bromelain extracted from pineapple

What is bromelain

Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme, that is able to degrade proteins in amino acids . The name of this substance derives from Bromeliaceae, a term used to describe the pineapple botanical family .

Chemically four bromelain fractions can be distinguished, with slightly different chemical formulas, although some authors suggest that the differences would occur during the purification processes. However, given that the various fractions possess overlapping activity, the mixture is commonly used in its natural form.

Where is bromelain

The first form of bromelain was found in the fruit of the pineapple, and subsequently, in the pineapple stem where it is in the most concentrated form.

For this reason, the bromelain present on the market is generally obtained from the latter source, since the use of the fruit by the food industry raises the cost, while the stem is a waste of food production.

Properties, calories and nutritional values ​​of pineapple, rich in bromelain

Properties and use of bromelain

As frequently happens with plant extracts, the action of the phytocomplex is more effective than the intake of the isolated active ingredients, however in the market bromelain, due to its numerous properties, can also be found extracted from the anans (ie of natural origin), as well as chemically synthesized in the form of a drug.

Bromelain has a digestive action for protein-rich foods, as it is a proteolytic enzyme and therefore able to break down proteins into amino acids, revealing itself to be effective in dispesies .

Bromelain is also used to improve circulation and cutaneous trophism, as it has an antithrombotic action, because it is able to solubilize the arteriosclerotic plaques, thus hindering the formation of thrombus inside the blood vessels. For this reason it is useful in the presence of varicose veins and in disorders of the circulatory system .

This substance is also used as an anti-edema, particularly effective in treating localized soft tissue inflammation associated with trauma, in post-operative tissue reactions and in the presence of edema or cellulite (localized lipodystrophy), ecchymoses and hematomas as it accelerates the reabsorption of hemorrhagic extravasations.

The safety of the use of bromelain compared to other anti-inflammatory drugs comes from the difference in its mechanism of action: in fact, where the classic NSAIDs inhibit cyclooxygenase, blocking the synthesis of prostaglandins, bromelain instead increases the production of prostaglandins with anti-inflammatory activity at the expense of those with pro-inflammatory activity, thus avoiding the gastrointestinal damage typical of this category of drugs.

Contraindications of bromelain

Bromelain is contraindicated in pregnancy ; in case of pineapple allergy ; in presence of gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer . It has interactions with anticoagulant drugs or synthetic anti-inflammatories, for this reason, before taking it you need to consult a doctor.

In collaboration with Erboristeria del Pigneto