TL; DR Article Summary:
Bromelain starts working within 30-60 minutes of ingestion, depending on different factors, such as your metabolism, age, activity levels, and whether you took bromelain alone as a supplement or with food. The effects of bromelain are usually not felt immediately, but as you continue to supplement, you should notice an improvement in digestion and possibly a reduction in joint stiffness & aches – due to bromelain’s anti-inflammatory effect.
What is Bromelain?
Bromelain is a digestive enzyme extracted from the pineapple stem, and has been extensively studied for its health benefits. It is used to treat inflammation, swelling, and pain.
The enzyme Bromelain is broken down by an acidic environment, meaning it does not work well in cheese or yogurt because of the high levels of acidity.
Bromelain can be taken as a supplement or you can eat pineapple for its health benefits.
Often people will take bromelain to treat bruising, swelling, and pain from a sports injury.
How Does Bromelain Work for Joint Health?
Bromelain acts by breaking down proteins in the stomach before they can be absorbed into the bloodstream. This action may be responsible for bromelain’s ability to reduce inflammation, as inflammation often coincides with increases in certain substances (cytokines) made by the body to combat damage of tissues.
Bromelain acts by breaking down proteins in the stomach before they can be absorbed into the bloodstream. This action may be responsible for bromelain’s ability to reduce inflammation, as inflammation often coincides with increases in certain substances (cytokines) made by the body to combat the damage of tissues.
Other Notable Benefits of Bromelain
You may have already heard about some of the digestive and joint health benefits of bromelain, but you may have not heard of these effects (for those who want to geek out, read on)…
Bromelain is also thought to play a role in the development of osteoporosis, as it has been shown to inhibit the action of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are enzymes that break down bone. MMPs have been implicated in increasing the risk for osteoporosis because they promote the degradation of bone tissue and subsequent bone breakdown.
- The enzyme bromelain (which can break down proteins) and vitamin C (a potent antioxidant) is superior to the current standard of care in the treatment of acute pancreatitis. The combination has been shown to stop cell death and reduce the levels of cytokines that cause inflammation in the pancreas, which has led scientists to believe it may prove effective in the treatment of mild-to-moderate pancreatitis.
Bromelain is most often used as a medical supplement for its anti-inflammatory properties and is also used as a meat tenderizer or in cooking. What’s more, Bromelain has been shown to be an effective treatment for gastrointestinal disorders like ulcers and IBS.
How Long Does it Take for Bromelain to Work?
How quickly bromelain will work for you depends on factors like your age, metabolism, activity levels, and whether you consumed bromelain alone as a supplement or together with food (or as a part of the food).
- That said, bromelain starts working almost immediately once it’s in your stomach. It starts to break down nutrients from foods and helps your body digest them faster and more efficiently. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory.
While you may not notice its effects right away, bromelain works best when taken consistently over the long term – this is where you will notice the greatest result when it comes to swelling, stiffness, joint pain, and digestive health.
Optimal Bromelain Dosage to Feel the Effects Faster
The optimal Bromelain dosage for joint health and inflammation is 300mg per day. If your goal of supplementation is digestion-related, then higher doses of bromelain, up to 2,000mg per day with food, are shown to be the most effective.