Bromelain is a mixture of enzymes found naturally in the juice and stems of pineapples.

Bromelain is believed to help with the digestion of protein.

Some bromelain appears to be absorbed by the body intact, so it's also thought to have effects outside the digestive tract.

In fact, bromelain is often marketed as a natural anti-inflammatory for conditions such as arthritis.

It's one of the most popular supplements in Germany, where it is approved by the “Commission E” for the treatment of inflammation and swelling of the nose and sinuses due to surgery or injury.

The “Commission E” was a highly regarded committee of researchers, physicians, toxicologists and pharmacists that was created in 1978 by the German government to determine the safety and effectiveness of herbs sold in Germany.

When used as a digestive aid, bromelain is usually taken with meals.

When used for inflammation, practitioners typically recommend taking bromelain between meals on an empty stomach to maximize absorption.

Bromelain comes in varying strengths that is measured in GDU per gram (GDU stands for Gelatin Digesting Unit as gelatin is primarily protein), from 500 to 2400 GDU.