What Is Bromelain Used For?

Some people may wonder, "What is bromelain used for?" Bromelain is a name for enzymes found in pineapple. These enzymes can dissolve protein and are used to tenderize meat and as nutritional supplements. When used medicinally, bromelain is claimed to help with the following conditions:

Reducing swelling due to injuries or surgeries
Assisting burn debridement (the removal of dead, burned tissue)
Preventing blood clots
Preventing or treating cancer
Shortening labor during childbirth
Enhancing fat removal from the body
Treating arthritis (including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)
Aiding digestion
Reducing sinus symptoms, such as congestion
Treating gout
Treating or preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Treating ulcerative colitis
Treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Some of these possible bromelain uses are more legitimate than others, although much more research is necessary to confirm that bromelain is truly effective for any use.

(Click Benefits of Bromelain for the full eMedTV article. This article offers more information on what bromelain is used for, including information on how bromelain works and whether it is effective for various uses.)