Fruits and other foods contain natural chemical compounds called enzymes that are beneficial to the body for many reasons. Bromelain and papain are two tropical fruit enzymes that have nutritional benefits when eaten as part of the raw fruit and when extracted and used in other foods, supplements and products.
Definition
Bromelain is an enzyme that is naturally occurring in pineapples. Papain is also a fruit enzyme; it is found in the papaya fruit and leaves. Natural enzymes are compounds which help to facilitate or speed up reactions that occur in the body. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that the health benefits of bromelain and papain are effective when these raw fruit are eaten and these enzymes are easily derived from the juice and pulp of pineapples and papayas.
History
Papaya and pineapple fruits have long been recognized for their many health benefits. However, their respective enzymes papain and bromelain, were not recognized and studied until more recently. Papain was studies in the early 1900s and is today one of the most widely studied fruit enzymes. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, bromelain was first extracted in the late 1800s and was soon after approved for treating medical ailments such as inflammation and swelling.
Forms
Bromelain and papain are added to food products and available in their extract from on their own. These enzymes are also available in supplement pill or powder form in both separate and combined varieties. Because bromelain and papain have similar actions and properties, they can be used synergistically for nutritional and medicinal health purposes.
Nutritional Benefits
Bromelain and papain are proteolytic enzymes, which means they are able to cleave or break down protein molecules in ingested foods. These tropical fruit enzymes are therefore able to facilitate digestion and help the body break down protein foods more easily. Eating pineapple or papaya before eating a meal or taking bromelain and papain supplements help to reduce digestive bloating, constipation, gas and inflammation.
Medicinal Benefits
The enzymes bromelain and papain also have medicinal benefits reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. Bromelain helps to reduce inflammation in the skin while papain facilitates the shedding of damaged cells in the body. These medicinal effects are useful for helping to treat swelling, injury and inflammation in the body.
When used as a topical solution or lotion, papain can also help to treat skin irritation and inflammation such as bruises, burns, bedsores, injuries and wounds from surgical procedures.
Because bromelain and papain break down protein, they are also thought to be effective in helping to prevent blood clots and clumping in the vascular system for improved heart health. However, the medicinal benefits of these fruit enzymes are still being studied. Consult your doctor before taking either as part of your treatment.
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