Skip to main content
Evidence Based Longevity (EBL)
Check what I take
Evidence Trace, complete trial record
In plain terms

In plain terms: Bromelain has been tested in human trials aimed at the relevant outcome and did not show benefit at the doses and durations studied. The animal research may be encouraging, but it has not yet translated to humans in these trials.

Bromelain

D Not shown: no human trial shows benefit
Route 2 — tested in humans; benefit not shown
Category Supplements
Evidence RCT (limited)
Reviewed July 2026
PMIDs 40803821 · 17121765 · 27412590
The endpoint this grade is based on: self_report, Bromelain alone has been tested in placebo-controlled trials for knee osteoarthritis pain and for inflammation markers, and showed no benefit. Positive trials of enzyme products tested bromelain inside a combination.

The evidence as the record states it

Evidence record
PMID 40803821 PMID 17121765 PMID 27412590

Brien et al. (QJM, 2006; PMID 17121765): randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 47 adults with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis, bromelain alone 800 mg/day for 12 weeks; no difference from placebo on WOMAC or any subscale. Ley et al. (Chin J Integr Med, 2016; PMID 27412590): randomized placebo-controlled trial, bromelain alone 1,050 mg/day for 12 weeks in adults with diabetes; no effect on fibrinogen or CRP. Henrotin et al. (RMD Open, 2025; PMID 40803821): randomized trial of a three-ingredient product (bromelain with trypsin and rutoside), fully sponsored by the company that supplied the product; it grades the combination, not bromelain.

PMID 40803821 PMID 17121765 PMID 27412590

Trials showing no benefit

Trial 1
PMID 17121765
Endpoint
WOMAC total and subscales
Population
47 adults with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis, bromelain 800 mg/day for 12 weeks
No benefit shown

Low to moderate. Small single placebo-controlled trial; null.

Trial 2
PMID 27412590
Endpoint
Fibrinogen and CRP
Population
Adults with diabetes, bromelain 1,050 mg/day for 12 weeks
No benefit shown

Low. Small exploratory placebo-controlled trial; null.

Why Grade D Route 2 and not Grade C

Grade D Route 2 applies when a compound has been tested in humans and benefit was not shown. Bromelain has been tested in 2 human trials on endpoints relevant to the claim being evaluated, and the primary endpoint was not met.

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial pre-specifying a meaningful clinical or functional endpoint and demonstrating statistically significant benefit would move this to Grade C or higher, depending on effect size, population size, and whether it is independently replicated.

What this grade covers and what it does not

Grade D, Route 2: tested alone and no benefit. The only placebo-controlled trial of bromelain alone in knee osteoarthritis (Brien et al., QJM, 2006; PMID 17121765) was null, and a placebo-controlled trial in adults with diabetes found no effect on inflammation markers (Ley et al., Chin J Integr Med, 2016; PMID 27412590). The trial previously cited tested a combination product and cannot grade bromelain. Moved from C in October 2026 by editor adjudication; Route 2 rather than Route 1 because a bromelain-alone placebo trial exists and was null. WHAT THIS GRADE DOES NOT COVER: enzyme combination products that contain bromelain with other ingredients, which are different interventions; and swelling after dental or sinus surgery, where bromelain-alone trials exist and are not graded on this record.

What would move this grade

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial pre-specifying a clinical aging endpoint and demonstrating statistically significant benefit on that primary endpoint would be sufficient to move this to Grade C or higher, depending on effect size and population.

How to track whether this is working VAS pain scores and swelling measurements at the affected site at baseline and 4 weeks for inflammation applications. For post-surgical or injury recovery, document swelling circumference at standardized anatomical points weekly. Drug interactions: bromelain potentiates anticoagulants and certain antibiotics.