What is Bromelain?

What is Bromelain? Although bromelain sounds like a medication, it is actually a widely accessible nutrients found in common foods. The most popular source of bromelain is in fact pineapples. It can be extracted from the juice, flesh and stems of all types of pineapples. You can increase your intake the natural way by adding delicious pineapples to your dishes.

Health Benefits of Bromelain

Bromelain is often overlooked on nutritional profiles because its benefits are not as popular as those of other nutrients. A closer look at bromelain shows that this substance is essential to the breakdown of protein. If your body runs low on bromelain, you stand a risk of experiencing protein overload or amino acids being flushed out of the body without being digested.

Bromelain is also in the nutritional spotlight for its anti-inflammatory properties. People with conditions like diabetes, bowel diseases and arthritis can benefit a lot from increasing their dosage of bromelain. This is because inflammation is one of the primary symptoms of these illnesses.

What is Bromelain Used for?

Because bromelain is naturally available in pineapples, it can be used in cooking. Pineapples can of course be eaten raw or in a fruit salad. Pineapple pieces also make great toppings for pizza, pasta, lean burgers and sandwiches. Pineapple juice gives tropical flavor to smoothies and drinks as well. Try to include pineapples in your menu as often as possible.

If the dosage of bromelain from pineapples is not enough, you can always buy supplements from the store. When in capsule form, bromelain is used to treat a range of symptoms and diseases. It is also taken differently depending on the condition you want treated. Those with inflammatory diseases like arthritis and diabetes should take bromelain capsules on an empty stomach for maximum results. If you need supplements as a digestive or for sinusitis, it is best to ingest tablets with meals.

How Much Bromelain Do You Need a Day?

The average adult needs about 80 to 320 milligrams a day. The dosage will vary according to the severity of your case and the doctor’s recommendations. This should amount to 1-2 capsules daily. Be careful not to take supplements for more than 10 days consecutively. If you’re using bromelain topical creams, use it on minor cuts and burns only.

Effects of Too Much Bromelain

An excessive amount of bromelain in your system can cause negative health effects. Patients who have overdosed on this substance report experiencing indigestion, constipation and diarrhea. Nausea and vomiting are also common symptoms. Other patients have allergic reactions, as well as drowsiness, increased heart rate and unusually heavy menstruation. It is best to avoid bromelain supplements if you have a history of peptic ulcers.

Although bromelain is not often mentioned like other nutrients are, it is essential to some basic bodily processes. Not only does it play a huge role in synthesizing protein, it can effectively treat inflammation and many other symptoms. Enjoy more pineapple for a daily dose or ask your doctor to prescribe supplements to better your wellbeing.