You may have heard the term Bromelain through casual health food related conversation but very few people have ever done the research into the amazing benefits and slight side effects of Bromelain. Most commonly found in the stems and juice of pineapple or used as meat tenderizer, Bromelain has most recently been proven to prevent certain signs of aging and improve digestive health. By increasing the production of certain digestion-related pancreatic enzymes, Bromelain is a natural cure to an upset stomach.

Bromelain is an organic based element comprised of antioxidants, essential vitamins, and anti-inflammatory agents that will only make a human body healthier. It’s available in juice or capsules, but most recently, Bromelain has been made into an ointment specifically for the treatment of burns that vary in all degrees. The anti-inflammatory agents prevent swelling, reduce redness, ease pain, and replenish skin tissue and cells under the burn.

Although Bromelain is rich in an assortment of vitamins and minerals while providing a range of health benefits, it shouldn’t be consumed consecutively for more than 2 weeks. Bromelain can be highly acidic and side effects aren’t typical but for those who are unused to the essence of pineapple juice, vomiting or diarrhea can occur temporarily. While consuming Bromelain, a nutritious diet and regular exercise should also be implemented to achieve optimum benefit. (Posted on 2/22/11)

Knowing about the digestive properties of the stem when I was a wee lad, I used to munch on the pineapple stem to aid with digestion. It's nice to see that it's available in capsule form now. Didn't know it was called bromelain, though. All I know is that it really works in aiding digestion. (Posted on 1/19/09)