Is Pineapple Good For Gout?

Who doesn’t love pineapple? This sweet and tangy fruit is packed with nutrients and tastes delicious.

But did you realise pineapple is good for gout?

The pineapple plant (Ananas comosus) contains a set of enzymes known as bromelain, which may be extracted from the stem or fruit.

These enzymes have been utilized by healers in a variety of ways for hundreds of years.

What Is Bromelain?

Bromelain is an anti-inflammatory enzyme that may aid in reducing swelling, discomfort and redness such as those suffering from gout flare ups.

Bromelain improves blood flow by blocking the synthesis of substances that might lead to gout inflammation and discomfort.

As a result, pain is decreased and the healing process is sped up when inflammation is minimized. 

Bromelain And Gout

Bromelain works by blocking certain enzymes such as cyclooxygenase (COX) and 5-lipoxygenase (LOX), which are involved in inflammation.

Bromelain also directly affects the metabolism of uric acid, helping to reduce its levels in the body.

Furthermore, bromelain has been found to boost immunity and can act as an antioxidant, reducing oxidative stress in the body.

Pineapple And Gout

Gout, a very painful form of arthritis is caused by an excess of uric acid in your blood. It results in;

• Inflammation
• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling

Medication and dietary modifications can be used to treat high uric acid levels.

Foods that cause excess uric acid are purine rich foods such as beer, shellfish, alcohol, sugary snacks and red meat. These foods are bad for gout so avoid them at all costs.

You need to be eating low purine foods such as whole fruit and vegetables.

One of the reasons pineapple for gout has been proven effective is because not only does it contain bromelain but also vitamin C, fibre, potassium and antioxidants that lessen gout symptoms. 

Fibre

Research on mice has revealed that eating a diet high in fibre may lessen gout flare ups.

Vitamin C

Pineapple is high in vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can assist the body to eliminate uric acid from the body through urine.

It also lowers uric acid levels by blocking the enzyme that produces it. Thus, pineapple consumption is beneficial for people with arthritis and gout. 

A 2009 study demonstrated that persons who consume more vitamin C over 20 years, had a lower risk of developing gout.

Potassium

Potassium is another compound that makes pineapple good for gout. It can help to counteract gout’s effects by helping to decrease uric acid buildup and flush out excess toxins from the body.

Quercetin

Quercetin can also help reduce gout pain. Quercetin is an antioxidant that helps to reduce inflammation and has been shown to inhibit the formation of uric acid crystals in gout patients.

But when it comes to pineapple and gout, the real jewel in the crown gas to be bromelain.

Manganese

Manganese helps gout sufferers as it helps the body create superoxide dismutase, an antioxidant that helps to reduce inflammation.

Medical Evidence Of Bromelain Benefits For Gout

The following results were reported from clinical studies on bromelain consumption in gout patients:

• According to one study in 2015, Bromelain in conjunction with other medicines or supplements can reduce arthritic pain. Bromelain has been demonstrated to lessen gout-related pain and swelling.
• Social Institution in Palembang conducted a study in which they assessed uric acid levels before and after consuming bromelain in pineapple. The findings demonstrate that consuming pineapple for seven days helped in reducing the body’s uric acid levels.
• According to research from 2002 that was published in “Phytomedicine,” bromelain may help lessen the symptoms of arthritic diseases.

• In a study conducted by the University of Maryland Medical Center, it was found that pineapple extract can reduce uric acid levels in gout sufferers.
• Bromelain was used in a study by the Gout Research Center at the University of California where gout sufferers were given pineapple extract for eight weeks. The results showed a marked decrease in gout attacks, suggesting that bromelain may be beneficial in controlling gout flares.

Other Health Benefits Of Bromelain

Much research has been conducted on bromelain and its possible health benefits. These include:

Sinusitis Treatment

A 2016 analysis of the literature found that bromelain may improve breathing, reduce nasal inflammation, and decrease the duration of children’s sinusitis symptoms. 

According to a comprehensive study from 2006, using bromelain in addition to prescription drugs can help reduce nasal irritation.

Cardiovascular Condition Treatment

According to research, bromelain can successfully treat cardiovascular conditions such, as stroke, peripheral artery disease, heart attack, and high BP. 

Blood platelets cannot cluster together or stick together when bromelain is present. This could lessen the risk of clotting and cardiovascular incidents.

Osteoarthritis Treatment

Bromelain supplements are frequently used by people to reduce osteoarthritis symptoms.

According to a 2004 review of clinical trials, people with osteoarthritis found bromelain to be an efficient and secure NSAID (Nonsteroidal anti-Inflammatory Drug) substitute.

Anticancer Properties

According to a 2010 study, bromelain has the potential as a cancer treatment. Bromelain may be able to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells and regulation of major pathways that promote cancer.

Improved Digestion

Some people use bromelain supplements to treat digestive issues. Some individuals use it as a supportive treatment to treat IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) because of its ability to reduce inflammation.

Side Effects of Bromelain

Some people may have minor adverse effects from bromelain, especially if taken in large doses. These include: 

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Elevated heart rate 
• Heavy menstrual bleeding

Final Thoughts

If you are suffering from gout flare ups, then you should maybe try bromelain supplements, especially if you also suffer from an additional ailment listed here that it’s meant to help.

You can buy bromelain extract supplements online. Or you can add fresh pineapple to your diet.

With regard to side effects, bromelain seems rather benign so it should be okay to include bromelain supplements in your diet.

Our Goutometer gives bromelain a 5/10.

Whilst it’s been proven to fight pain and inflammation in human trials, not many were gout specific so I am wary of giving it a higher score.

I would recommend tart cherry or turmeric over it for the time being.

Always consult your doctor before taking supplements that may interfere with existing medication.

References

• Rathnavelu, V., Alitheen, N. B., Sohila, S., Kanagesan, S., & Ramesh, R.. (2016). Potential role of bromelain in clinical and therapeutic applications. Biomedical Reports, 5(3), 283–288. https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2016.720
• Guo, R., Canter, P. H., & Ernst, E. (2006). Herbal medicines for the treatment of rhinosinusitis: a systematic review. Otolaryngology–head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 135(4), 496–506. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.otohns.2006.06.1254
• Brien, S., Lewith, G., Walker, A., Hicks, S. M., & Middleton, D. (2004). Bromelain as a Treatment for Osteoarthritis: a Review of Clinical Studies. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 1(3), 251–257. https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/neh035
• Chobotova, K., Vernallis, A. B., & Majid, F. A. (2010). Bromelain’s activity and potential as an anti-cancer agent: Current evidence and perspectives. Cancer letters, 290(2), 148–156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2009.08.001
• Zhou Z, Wang L, Feng P, Yin L, Wang C, Zhi S, Dong J, Wang J, Lin Y, Chen D, Xiong Y, Peng J. Inhibition of Epithelial TNF-α Receptors by Purified Fruit Bromelain Ameliorates Intestinal Inflammation and Barrier Dysfunction in Colitis. Front Immunol. 2017 Nov 10;8:1468. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01468. Erratum in: Front Immunol. 2017 Dec 13;8:1769. PMID: 29176974; PMCID: PMC5686092.
• Agostinis, C., Zorzet, S., De Leo, R., Zauli, G., De Seta, F., & Bulla, R. (2015). The combination of N-acetyl cysteine, alpha-lipoic acid, and bromelain shows high anti-inflammatory properties in novel in vivo and in vitro models of endometriosis. Mediators of inflammation, 2015, 918089. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/918089
• Choi, H. K., Gao, X., & Curhan, G.. (2009). Vitamin C Intake and the Risk of Gout in Men. Archives of Internal Medicine, 169(5), 502. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinternmed.2008.606
• Maurer, H. R. (2001). Bromelain: biochemistry, pharmacology and medical use. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences CMLS, 58(9), 1234-1245.
• 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.