Bromelain and papain: the enzymes in pineapple and papaya
Ever notice fresh pineapple stinging your tongue, or that it ruins a gelatin dessert? That is bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme, at work. Papaya has its own, papain. Here is what these fruit enzymes actually do and why they end up in digestive supplements.
Grounded in 2 peer-reviewed studiesThe quick version
Key takeaways
- Bromelain (pineapple) and papain (papaya) both digest protein.
- It is the same chemistry that tenderizes meat.
- Bromelain is the better researched of the two. 1
- An enzyme only helps while your food is present.
01Enzymes from fruit
Digestive enzymes are proteins that cut food into absorbable pieces, and some plants make their own. The two most famous are bromelain, from pineapple, and papain, from papaya. Both are proteases, meaning they specialize in breaking down protein.
That is not a metaphor. It is the literal reason fresh pineapple juice keeps gelatin from setting and works as a meat tenderizer.
02Bromelain, from pineapple
Bromelain is concentrated in the pineapple stem and fruit. It is the better studied of the two, with research reviewing its properties and its behavior in the body, which is why it anchors a lot of digestive-enzyme products. 1
Pineapple
Bromelain
concentrated in the stem and fruit
Papaya
Papain
from the fruit and its latex
Both are proteolytic (protein-digesting) enzymes concentrated in tropical fruit.
03Papain, from papaya
Papain is papaya's version, drawn from the fruit and its latex. It is a genuine protein-digesting enzyme and has long been used as a traditional digestive aid, though the formal human research on it is thinner than bromelain's. 2
04Why a strip, not a pill
An enzyme only helps if it is active when the food is there. A capsule has to survive the stomach and open at the right moment. The Quick Fix puts bromelain and papain in a strip that dissolves on your tongue and starts working on contact, skipping that delay.
The bottom line
Bromelain and papain are the protein-digesting enzymes hiding in pineapple and papaya. In a fast-dissolving strip, they go to work with your meal instead of waiting on your stomach.
From this article
The Quick Fix
Bromelain and papain in a fast-dissolving strip.
Shop →Frequently asked questions
What does bromelain do?
Bromelain is a protein-digesting enzyme from pineapple. It breaks down protein, which is why it tenderizes meat, and it has been studied for its behavior in the body and used in digestive supplements.
What is papain used for?
Papain is a protein-digesting enzyme from papaya, long used as a traditional digestive aid. It works on protein much like bromelain, though the formal research on it is more limited.
Are pineapple and papaya enzymes good for digestion?
Both bromelain and papain break down protein and are used as digestive aids. Taken with a meal, they can help dismantle food while it is being digested.
When should I take enzyme supplements?
With or right after a meal, especially a large or protein-heavy one, so the enzymes are active while the food is still present.
Peer-reviewed & published in
Properties and therapeutic applications of bromelain
Pavan R et al.
Read the 2012 studyCharacterization and activities of papain, the papaya proteolytic enzyme
Babalola BA et al.
Read the 2023 studySources are peer-reviewed research on the topics discussed, not studies of finished Stillbelly products. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.
Educational content, not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Talk to your healthcare provider about persistent digestive symptoms.
