Bromelain: what is it, where is it found and what to look for?

Short answer: Bromelain is a mix of protein-splitting enzymes from the pineapple plant (Ananas comosus). It is found mainly in the stem and to a lesser extent in the fruit. As a supplement, you take bromelain as a capsule with water at a meal. Do not use it if you are allergic to pineapple, and do not combine it with blood thinners or take it around surgery without talking to your doctor.

Last updated: 5 November 2026 · Written by Florian Fermin

You come across bromelain in the kitchen, where fresh pineapple makes meat more tender, and in the supplement cupboard. At GOYU we sell bromelain capsules ourselves. That is exactly why we are upfront about it: no health claim has been approved for bromelain in the EU. Here you can read what bromelain is, where it is found, how to use it, what has been studied and who it is not suitable for. You will not find promises about what it does in your body.

What is bromelain?

Bromelain is a group of enzymes from the pineapple plant. Enzymes are proteins that start or speed up a reaction. Bromelain cuts other proteins into smaller pieces: it is a so-called protease, a protein-splitting enzyme (Hikisz & Bernasinska-Slomczewska, 2021).

There are two main forms: stem bromelain and fruit bromelain. Despite the almost identical names, they are different enzymes with a different structure and activity. According to a 2021 review, a bromelain extract consists of about 80% stem bromelain, 10% fruit bromelain and 5% ananain, another protein-splitting enzyme from pineapple. The rest is other substances from the plant (Hikisz & Bernasinska-Slomczewska, 2021).

You can see that protein-splitting effect at home too. Fresh pineapple is used to tenderise meat, and a gelatine dessert with fresh pineapple will not set. You will see the name written in different ways: bromelain, bromelaine or, in Dutch, bromelaïne. In French it is called bromélaïne or broméline.

Where is bromelain found?

Bromelain is found in the pineapple plant: most of it in the stem, a smaller part in the fruit. For supplements, manufacturers usually use bromelain from the stem, the hard part of the plant that you do not eat. Our capsules also contain bromelain from the pineapple stem.

If you eat fresh pineapple, you also take in some fruit bromelain. Exactly how much varies from fruit to fruit and is not printed on any label. With a capsule, you do know.

How do you take bromelain capsules?

Take 1 capsule with water, preferably during or just after a meal. Our product page says you can do this 1 to 2 times a day. The newest version of our packaging says 1 capsule a day. Always follow the label on the pack you have at home, and if in doubt, stick to 1 capsule a day.

1. Take 1 capsule with a glass of water.
2. Do this during or just after breakfast, lunch or dinner.
3. Do not take more than it says on your pack.
4. If you take medication, have a medical condition or are due to have surgery soon, talk to your doctor first.

The capsules are 100% plant-based. The ingredient list contains exactly two things: bromelain (from pineapple stem) and HPMC, the material of the capsule. There are no fillers.

How much bromelain per day?

One capsule gives you 500 mg of bromelain, 2 capsules give you 1,000 mg. We do not recommend taking more than it says on the label of your pack. It has not been shown that more bromelain is better.

On some packs you will see an enzyme activity next to the milligrams, for example in GDU. That number tells you how active the enzyme is in a lab test. Two products with the same number of milligrams can therefore have a different activity. Our label states the amount of bromelain in milligrams.

What does research say about bromelain?

No health claim has been approved for bromelain in the EU. That is why we make no statement about what bromelain does in your body. What we can do is show what has been studied and how strong that research is.

A claim that was submitted for bromelain is listed as non-authorised in the EU register. The European Food Safety Authority EFSA found the claimed effect was not defined clearly enough to be assessed (EFSA, 2011).

Much of the research on bromelain has been done in the lab or in animals. A 2021 review summarises that research and writes that a lot is still unknown and more research is needed (Hikisz & Bernasinska-Slomczewska, 2021). Studies in healthy people are few, and they are small.

One example: in a randomised, double-blind study, 39 participants did a heavy strength exercise for the arms. They then took 300 mg of bromelain 3 times a day, a painkiller or a placebo, or nothing. Up to 96 hours after the exercise, the researchers found no difference between the groups in muscle soreness, range of motion or strength (Stone et al., 2002).

Side effects: who should avoid bromelain?

Do not use bromelain if you are allergic to pineapple, and do not use it with blood thinners or around surgery without talking to your doctor. The newest version of our packaging also says that bromelain is not intended for children or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Pineapple allergy: do not use. According to the 2021 review, some people can have an allergic reaction to bromelain, especially people who are allergic to pineapple. These reactions can also affect the airways, for example with shortness of breath or coughing (Hikisz & Bernasinska-Slomczewska, 2021).
• Blood thinners and surgery: do not use without talking to your doctor. That is what our label says. If you are due to have surgery, also mention that you take bromelain.
• Pregnant, breastfeeding or children: do not use.
• Medication or a medical condition: talk to your GP or pharmacist first.
• Complaints during use: stop and contact your GP.

In France, bromelain and the stem of the pineapple are on the official list of substances and plants allowed in food supplements. No extra warning is listed for bromelain there (Compl'Alim).

Buying bromelain in a shop or online: what to look for?

Whether you buy bromelain from a chemist or online: look at the source, the amount per capsule, what else is in it and the warnings on the label.

• Source: the label should say where the bromelain comes from, for example from the stem of Ananas comosus.
• Amount: check how many milligrams are in a capsule or tablet and how many you take a day. If an enzyme activity is listed too, compare products that use the same unit.
• Ingredients: the shorter the list, the clearer. Ours lists two ingredients: bromelain and the capsule shell.
• Warnings: a good label mentions pineapple allergy and blood thinners.
• Tested: ask about lab tests. We have our bromelain independently tested for quality and purity. How to read such a certificate of analysis is explained in how to read a CoA, using mushrooms as an example.
• Status in the EU: bromelain is not listed as a novel food in the European Commission's Novel Food Catalogue, and the French Compl'Alim list states "novel food: no" for bromelain.

You can order our 500 mg bromelain capsules online: buy bromelain. Other plants and extracts can be found in our herbs and superfoods.

Summary in 3 points

• Bromelain is a mix of protein-splitting enzymes from the pineapple plant, mainly from the stem.
• Take 1 capsule with water at a meal and follow the label on your pack. No health claim has been approved for bromelain in the EU.
• Do not use it if you are allergic to pineapple, while pregnant or breastfeeding, or with blood thinners and around surgery without talking to your doctor.

Frequently asked questions

What is bromelain?

Bromelain is a mix of enzymes from the pineapple plant that cut proteins into smaller pieces. It is found mainly in the stem of the pineapple. Supplements usually contain bromelain from that stem.

Is bromelain the same as eating pineapple?

No. Fresh pineapple mainly contains fruit bromelain, and how much varies from fruit to fruit. A supplement usually contains stem bromelain in a fixed amount, 500 mg per capsule in our case.

How much bromelain per day?

Follow the label on your pack. Our product page says 1 capsule, 1 to 2 times a day; the newest packaging says 1 capsule a day. One capsule contains 500 mg of bromelain.

Can you take bromelain when pregnant?

No. The newest version of our packaging says that bromelain is not intended for pregnant women, breastfeeding women or children. If in doubt, talk to your GP or midwife.

Can you combine bromelain with blood thinners?

Not without talking to your doctor. The label says not to use bromelain with blood thinners or around surgery unless your doctor agrees.

Sources

1. Hikisz P, Bernasinska-Slomczewska J. Review of the properties of bromelain, the composition of extracts, allergic reactions and research in the lab and in animals. Nutrients. 2021;13(12):4313. doi:10.3390/nu13124313. PubMed 34959865
2. Stone MB, Merrick MA, Ingersoll CD, Edwards JE. Randomised, double-blind study in 39 participants on bromelain, a painkiller and placebo for muscle soreness after strength training. Clin J Sport Med. 2002;12(6):373-8. doi:10.1097/00042752-200211000-00009. PubMed 12466693
3. EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies. Scientific opinion on health claims whose effect is not sufficiently defined, including a claim for bromelain (ID 1480). EFSA Journal. 2011;9(6):2228. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2011.2228
4. European Commission. Novel Food Status Catalogue: no novel food entry for bromelain or Ananas comosus, accessed 5 November 2026. food.ec.europa.eu
5. Ministère de l'Agriculture (France). Compl'Alim, bromélaïne and Ananas comosus (L.) Merrill: allowed in food supplements, novel food no, accessed 5 November 2026. compl-alim.beta.gouv.fr
6. GOYU, product page and packaging text for Bromelain Capsules 500 mg (ingredients, directions and warnings), accessed 5 November 2026.

This article is for information only and is not medical advice. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If in doubt, pregnant or taking medication, talk to your GP or pharmacist.