A natural, plant-based digestive enzyme derived from the stem of the pineapple (Ananas comosus). Whether you want smoother digestion after protein-rich meals or targeted physical comfort after intense workouts and physical stress, Source Naturals Bromelain 500 mg (600 GDU per gram) offers a balanced, gentle, and clinically recognized nutritional solution.
✓ Dual-Action Formula: Accelerates dietary protein breakdown when taken with meals, or promotes muscle and joint comfort when taken between meals.
✓ Gentle Everyday Potency: 600 Gelatin Digesting Units (GDU) per gram delivers 300 active digestive units per tablet—ideal for daily digestive support without stomach irritation.
✓ Wide pH Operating Range: Unlike many standard animal enzymes, bromelain functions effectively in both the acidic environment of the stomach and the neutral pH of the small intestine.
✓ Quality Assured: Formulated by Source Naturals, an industry benchmark for purity and potency since 1982. Non-GMO, vegetarian-friendly, and free of yeast, dairy, egg, gluten, and soy.
Brand: Source Naturals •
SKU: SN0906 •
UPC: 021078009061 •
Size: 60 Tablets (Also available in 120 Tablets: SN0907)
What Is Bromelain and How Does It Work in the Human Body?
Bromelain is not a single chemical; it is a complex mixture of natural, protein-digesting enzymes known biochemically as proteases or proteolytic enzymes. Extracted primarily from the fibrous core and stem of the pineapple plant, bromelain acts like microscopic “molecular scissors.”
Proteins from meat, poultry, dairy, protein powders, and legumes are composed of long, tightly coiled chains of amino acids held together by peptide bonds. For your body to absorb and use these nutrients, those peptide bonds must be unlinked. Bromelain rapidly hydrolyzes (cleaves) these bonds, breaking bulky proteins down into easily absorbable peptides and free amino acids.
Why Stomach Acid Doesn’t Deactivate Bromelain
Many supplemental enzymes (such as standard pancreatin) denature and lose their potency in harsh gastric acid. Bromelain is biologically unique because it maintains high catalytic activity across a wide pH spectrum, from pH 4.5 up to pH 9.8. This allows it to begin working in your stomach during early digestion and continue active enzymatic breakdown as food passes into the duodenum and small intestine.
The Two Primary Health Applications: Digestion vs. Physical Stress Recovery
Bromelain works in two completely different ways depending on when you take it. Timing determines whether its enzymatic power stays inside your digestive tract or enters your bloodstream to support whole-body recovery:
1. Taken With Meals: Enhanced Protein Digestion and Gut Comfort
When consumed alongside food, bromelain focuses exclusively on your meal. By breaking down dense protein molecules before they pass undigested into the colon, it helps prevent common post-meal complaints such as:
Occasional post-meal bloating, gas, and heavy stomach sensations.
Incomplete digestion caused by natural age-related declines in stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) or digestive enzymes.
Digestive strain from high-protein diets, bodybuilding meal plans, or heavy meat consumption.
2. Taken Between Meals: Physical Stress, Joint Comfort, and Muscle Recovery
When taken on an empty stomach (at least 60 to 90 minutes away from food), bromelain is not consumed by digestive tasks. Groundbreaking pharmacokinetics show that a portion of intact bromelain is absorbed across the intestinal wall directly into your blood circulation, where it acts systemically:
Modulates Inflammatory Prostaglandins: Bromelain downregulates pro-inflammatory prostaglandin E2 (PGE-2) and thromboxane A2 while encouraging natural tissue-repair pathways.
Breaks Down Excess Fibrin (Fibrinolytic Activity): After physical trauma, heavy lifting, or athletic exertion, the body forms fibrin webs that trap fluid and cause localized swelling. Bromelain accelerates the natural clearance of excess fibrin, promoting faster lymphatic drainage and tissue comfort.
Supports Sinus & Nasal Passages: By breaking down thick mucous proteins and reducing microvascular swelling, bromelain supports clear nasal breathing during seasonal immune challenges.
Understanding Enzyme Potency: What Does “600 GDU / G” Mean?
In nutritional supplements, enzyme quantity (milligrams) tells only half the story. The true biological power of an enzyme is measured by its activity—how much work it can physically do in a test tube.
GDU stands for Gelatin Digesting Units. It is a standardized United States Pharmacopeia (USP) testing method measuring the amount of gelatin an enzyme can digest under fixed laboratory conditions (temperature and time).
High-intensity athletes, post-surgical recovery, severe acute stiffness
Gastric Tolerance
Exceptionally gentle on delicate stomach linings
Potent; may cause mild warmth or looseness in sensitive users
Note on Units: Some European labels use MCU (Milk Clotting Units). In commercial enzyme standardization, 1 GDU is roughly equivalent to 1.5 MCU.
Suggested Use and Dosage Guidelines
To achieve maximum efficacy, match your intake schedule to your targeted health goal:
For Digestive Support (Protein Breakdown):
Take 1 tablet with a meal, swallowed with an 8 oz glass of water. For large, protein-dense meals (e.g., steak dinner, multiple protein shakes), take the tablet immediately before or halfway through the meal so the enzymes mix thoroughly with food in the stomach.
For Physical Stress, Joint Stiffness, or Muscle Recovery:
Take 1 tablet three times daily, between meals. For optimal systemic absorption into the bloodstream, take on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before eating or 2 hours after a meal with a full glass of water.
Important Safety Information, Contraindications & Drug Interactions
While bromelain has a long safety record and is classified by the FDA as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS), its biological activity requires specific medical cautions:
Who Should Exercise Caution or Avoid Bromelain
Pineapple Allergies: Do not take this product if you are allergic to pineapple. Individuals with cross-sensitivities to birch pollen, latex, celery, fennel, carrot, or papain may also experience allergic reactions (hives, itching, or bronchospasm).
Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet Medications: Bromelain inhibits platelet aggregation and stimulates fibrinolysis. If you are currently taking prescription blood thinners (such as warfarin, Coumadin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix, or daily aspirin), consult your prescribing physician before use, as bromelain may increase bleeding times.
Upcoming Surgery: Due to its mild blood-thinning and fibrin-dissolving effects, discontinue all bromelain supplementation at least two weeks prior to scheduled surgical or dental procedures.
Antibiotic Interactions: Bromelain may increase the absorption and blood concentration of certain antibiotics, particularly amoxicillin and tetracyclines. Always consult your doctor if taking concurrent antibiotic therapy.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: There is insufficient clinical safety data regarding bromelain use during pregnancy or lactation. Consult your OB/GYN prior to taking.
Complete Supplement Facts & Ingredient Listing
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Tablet • Servings Per Container: 60
Amount Per Serving
% Daily Value
Calcium (as dibasic calcium phosphate)
66 mg (5% DV)
Bromelain (600 G.D.U.* per gram)
500 mg †
† Daily Value not established.
* G.D.U. (Gelatin Digesting Units) is a standard measure of enzyme activity.
Other Ingredients: Dibasic calcium phosphate, sorbitol, stearic acid, modified cellulose gum, magnesium stearate, and colloidal silicon dioxide (silica).
Allergen & Dietary Information: Contains no yeast, dairy, egg, gluten, soy, or wheat. Contains no sugar, preservatives, artificial colors, artificial flavors, or synthetic fragrances.
Product Form: Solid compressed tablets. Suitable for vegetarians.
Scientific Evidence & Clinical Citations
At VitaNet, our health and nutritional content is anchored in verified biomedical science. The benefits of bromelain have been investigated across dozens of controlled laboratory and human clinical trials:
Pavan, R., Jain, S., Shraddha, & Kumar, A. (2012). “Properties and therapeutic application of bromelain: A review.” Biotechnology Research International, 2012:976203. PMID: 23304525. PMCID: PMC3529416.
Finding: Confirmed bromelain’s intestinal absorption as an intact functional enzyme, its role in hydrolyzing dietary proteins across stomach pH, and its systemic modulation of inflammatory prostaglandins and fibrin clot breakdown.
Maurer, H. R. (2001). “Bromelain: biochemistry, pharmacology and medical use.” Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 58(9), 1234–1245. PMID: 11577981.
Finding: Demonstrated systemic bioavailability after oral intake and documented bromelain’s safe application in relieving joint stiffness, supporting soft-tissue recovery, and modulating immune cell adhesion molecules.
Brien, S., Lewith, G., Walker, A., et al. (2004). “Bromelain as a Treatment for Osteoarthritis: a Review of Clinical Trials.” Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 1(3), 251–257. PMID: 15841258. PMCID: PMC1062150.
Finding: Systematic clinical review demonstrating that oral bromelain statistically reduced knee joint pain, relieved morning stiffness, and improved physical mobility in adults with physical joint stress.
Walker, A. F., Bundy, R., Hicks, S. M., & Middleton, R. W. (2002). “Bromelain reduces mild acute knee pain and improves well-being in a dose-dependent fashion in an open study of otherwise healthy adults.” Phytomedicine, 9(8), 681–686. PMID: 12587686.
Finding: Verified that supplemental bromelain significantly improved joint comfort and self-reported physical well-being in active individuals experiencing mild joint strain.
German Commission E Monograph (1993).Bundesanzeiger (Federal Gazette), Nr. 122.
Official Monograph: Approved bromelain for acute postoperative and post-traumatic swelling, specifically including tissue comfort in nasal and paranasal passages.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the difference between 600 GDU and 2,000 GDU Bromelain?
GDU (Gelatin Digesting Units) indicates enzymatic strength per gram. Source Naturals 600 GDU/g provides 300 GDU per 500 mg tablet, whereas a 2,000 GDU/g formula provides 1,000 GDU per tablet. The 600 GDU version is designed for daily meal digestion and long-term joint maintenance, and is much gentler on sensitive stomachs. The 2,000 GDU version is intended for acute, short-term trauma or intensive physical recovery.
2. When is the best time to take Source Naturals Bromelain 500 mg?
It depends on your goal: take 1 tablet with a meal to assist with protein breakdown and relieve digestive fullness; take 1 tablet three times daily on an empty stomach (between meals with a full glass of water) if you want systemic absorption for joint comfort, sports recovery, or sinus drainage.
3. Can I take Bromelain if I am allergic to pineapples?
No. Bromelain is extracted directly from the stems and juice of the pineapple plant (Ananas comosus). If you have a diagnosed pineapple allergy, avoid bromelain supplements. Cross-reactions may also occur in individuals sensitive to latex, celery, fennel, or birch pollen.
4. Does Bromelain interact with prescription medications?
Yes. Bromelain has mild antiplatelet (blood-thinning) properties and can interact with anticoagulant medications such as warfarin, Eliquis, Plavix, or daily aspirin, potentially increasing bleeding time. It may also enhance the intestinal absorption and blood levels of certain antibiotics, like amoxicillin and tetracycline. Always check with your physician or pharmacist before combining bromelain with prescription drugs.
5. Why does this formula contain 66 mg of Calcium?
The calcium comes from dibasic calcium phosphate, a food-grade mineral tableting agent used by Source Naturals to compress the active bromelain powder into stable, solid tablets without requiring synthetic glues or artificial binders.
6. How long does it take for Bromelain to work?
For digestive support, bromelain works within 30 to 60 minutes as it mixes with food inside your stomach. For physical recovery, muscle soreness, or joint comfort taken between meals, clinical trials show noticeable improvements within 3 to 7 days of consistent daily use.
7. Is Source Naturals Bromelain 500 mg vegetarian and gluten-free?
Yes. These tablets are 100% vegetarian-friendly and free from gluten, yeast, wheat, dairy, egg, soy, artificial colors, and preservatives.
Order with Complete Confidence at VitaNet ® LLC
Serving online customers since 1995, VitaNet brings you fresh, direct-from-manufacturer supplements stored in climate-controlled facilities. Every purchase is backed by our 100% Money-Back Guarantee. Have questions? Call our friendly Ohio customer care team toll-free at 1-800-877-8702.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
