Bromelain

Bromelain is a mixture of proteolytic (protein-digesting) enzymes from pineapple that has digestive and anti-inflammatory / immunomodulatory actions that could plausibly reduce IBS symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain and post-infectious visceral hypersensitivity — but this is mechanistic/indirect evidence, not strong proof of efficacy for IBS specifically.

• Proteolytic (digestive) activity. Bromelain helps break down proteins in the gut and can improve digestion/relief of protein-related dyspepsia symptoms. This is the most direct rationale for its use as a digestive aid. ScienceDirect Healthline
• Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Bromelain has been shown to reduce inflammatory mediators (e.g., influence bradykinin pathways, cytokines) and modulate immune cell activity in vitro and in vivo — mechanisms that could reduce low-grade intestinal inflammation or visceral hypersensitivity implicated in some IBS subtypes. RSC Publishing SAGE Journals
• Effects on intestinal barrier / mucosa and microbiome (preliminary). Some lab/animal work and reviews suggest bromelain may affect mucosal integrity or interact with the gut environment, which is relevant because altered barrier function and microbiome changes are implicated in IBS. Evidence here is early/preclinical. MDPI Medigraphic

Bottom line: There are plausible biochemical reasons bromelain could help certain IBS symptoms (especially digestion-related symptoms and post-infectious IBS with low-grade inflammation), but that is mechanistic — direct clinical proof for IBS is limited or lacking at present. MDPI ScienceDirect

Forms & potency

• Oral tablets/capsules are the usual form. Product potency is commonly expressed in GDU (gelatin-dissolving units) or other activity units (GDU, MCU, BTU, CDU). Prefer products that list activity (e.g., 300–1,250 GDU per tablet). Pure Encapsulations Pro Lamberts Healthcare

Typical dosing used clinically (for digestive or anti-inflammatory purposes)

• Digestive aid (with meals): commonly ~200–500 mg per day, usually split with meals (e.g., 250 mg with breakfast and/or dinner). This is the range used in many over-the-counter digestive enzyme recommendations. Healthline Dr Farrah MD
• Anti-inflammatory uses (systemic effects): trials and reviews document higher doses used for anti-inflammatory effects (often 500–2,000 mg/day in divided doses), sometimes taken on an empty stomach (so enzyme is absorbed systemically rather than being used locally for digestion). These higher systemic doses are more likely to cause side effects and require medical supervision. Dr Farrah MD MDPI

How to take it (practical)

• If your goal is digestive symptom relief in IBS (e.g., bloating after meals), take bromelain with meals (it will act within the gut). Typical starting strategy: 250 mg with the largest meals and assess symptom change over 2–4 weeks. Healthline
• If the intent is systemic anti-inflammatory action, dosing is higher and usually taken between meals; this requires medical advice. Dr Farrah MD
• Duration: try a defined trial period (e.g., 4–8 weeks) and track symptoms (IBS-SSS or simple daily log). If no benefit, stop. There is no standard long-term IBS protocol supported by RCT data. ScienceDirect

Product selection

• Choose standardized extracts that show activity in GDUs on the label. Avoid products with unclear dosing. Prefer reputable brands and, if possible, products made and tested by GMP manufacturers. Pure Encapsulations Pro Lamberts Healthcare

Multiple reviews and several randomized trials support bromelain’s anti-inflammatory and perioperative benefits (e.g., reduced swelling/pain after dental surgery). There are reviews noting potential GI benefits, but high-quality randomized controlled trials specifically proving benefit for IBS are essentially absent as of the latest literature; a clinical trial assessing a dietary supplement for IBS that includes bromelain (or similar formulation) is registered and recruiting (ClinicalTrials.gov record) but results are not yet available. ScienceDirect ClinicalTrials

Useful primary/secondary sources (read these for details):

1. Systematic / narrative reviews about bromelain & mechanisms

• Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Bromelain: Applications (MDPI — Nutrients review, 2023). Good, recent review of mechanisms and clinical applications. MDPI
• Bromelain: a review of its mechanisms, pharmacological effects and ... (RSC / Food & Function review, 2023). Broad review of mechanisms (anti-inflammatory, proteolytic activity, bioavailability). RSC Publishing

1. Systematic review / meta-analyses for bromelain clinical uses

• Systematic reviews/meta-analyses summarize evidence for perioperative pain/swelling and anti-inflammatory effects; these support clinical benefit in specific contexts (e.g., dental surgery), but do not establish IBS efficacy. Example: a systematic review of bromelain’s effects on inflammatory markers and surgical outcomes. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN ScienceDirect

1. Human clinical trials (examples)

• Randomized trials showing benefit for post-operative pain and swelling after third molar (wisdom tooth) extraction — illustrates clinical anti-inflammatory effect in humans. (Multiple trials summarized in reviews.) ScienceDirect
• Exploratory clinical trials in other conditions (e.g., cardiovascular risk markers in diabetes) exist, but IBS-specific RCTs are lacking. Reticular Journal

1. Registered clinical trial for IBS (recent)

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Effectiveness of a Dietary Supplement in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (ACALMI) — NCT07039747 (sponsor: University Hospital, Rouen). Record posted 2025-06-26; recruiting. This suggests active research but no published results yet. ClinicalTrials

1. Authoritative drug/supplement resource pages (for dosing & safety)

• WebMD — Bromelain (uses, dosing ranges, interactions). Practical dosing ranges are summarized here. WebMD
• Healthline / Health resources — overviews of dosing, forms and precautions. Healthline

Interpretation: there is a chain of supportive mechanistic and small clinical studies for inflammatory / digestive indications, but no robust RCT evidence proving bromelain as an effective therapy for IBS today. Ongoing trials may address this gap. MDPI ClinicalTrials