Yamamoto® Research Bromelain is a supplement formulated with 1000 mg of bromelain with an activity of 5000 GDU per daily dose to promote digestive function, drainage of body fluids and microcirculatory function, counteracting imperfections due to water retention and relieving the feeling of heavy legs. Bromelain is an enzyme extracted from the stem of the pineapple plant: it possesses so-called proteolytic activity, i.e. it is able to break peptide bonds between proteins. Thanks to this characteristic, bromelain is able to break down the complex structure of proteins, so that the body can digest them and absorb nutrients, eliminating unnecessary parts. Combined with a high-protein meal, such as meat, bromelain can greatly improve digestion.
Bromelain is often suggested and used with satisfactory results, especially by women, to combat water retention and swelling of the lower limbs. Bromelain has draining and anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce signs of edema, water retention and cellulite, as well as improve the function of the microcirculation. This enzyme is able to perform its function by acting on fluid accumulation and, although it is little known, it is inflammation that is mainly responsible for the formation of water retention, through a series of self-feeding mechanisms. In fact, if we are inflamed, it is easier to develop disorders such as oedema or cellulite, which in turn promote pro-inflammatory symptoms. We thus enter a vicious circle from which it is difficult to escape.
**How does bromelain reduce inflammation?
Bromelain is able to promote the production of a number of powerful anti-inflammatory substances called chitokines, as well as stimulating protein digestion.
**What are the real health benefits of bromelain?
Bromelain also reduces swelling of the lower limbs, drains fluids, reduces pain caused by wounds or injuries, treats dysmenorrhoea, is effective against thrombophlebitis, is a good mucolytic and decongestant, and also appears to potentiate the effect of some antibiotics and drugs.
**Scientific references
Muhammad ZA, Ahmad T. Therapeutic uses of bromelain extracted from pineapple in surgery - A review. J Pak Med Assoc. 2017 Jan;67(1):121-125. PMID: 28065968.
Hikisz P, Bernasinska-Slomczewska J. Beneficial properties of bromelain. Nutrients. 2021 Nov 29;13(12):4313. doi: 10.3390/nu13124313. PMID: 34959865; PMCID: PMC8709142.
Maurer HR. Bromelain: biochemistry, pharmacology and medical use. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2001 Aug;58(9):1234-45. doi : 10.1007/PL00000936. PMID : 11577981.
Varilla C, Marcone M, Paiva L, Baptista J. Bromelain, a group of enzymes from the proteolytic complex of pineapple (Ananas comosus) and their possible therapeutic and clinical effects. A synthesis. Foods. 2021 Sep 23;10(10):2249. doi : 10.3390/foods10102249. PMID : 34681298 ; PMCID : PMC8534447._
Taussig SJ, Batkin S. Bromelain, the pineapple (Ananas comosus) enzyme complex and its clinical application. An update. J Ethnopharmacol. 1988 Feb-Mar;22(2):191-203. doi: 10.1016/0378-8741(88)90127-4. PMID : 3287010.
