Does pineapple juice reduce inflammation?

Nobody has tested it as juice. We found no randomized trial of pineapple juice on its own with an inflammation outcome. The claim borrows from bromelain, the group of enzymes in pineapple, taken as capsules. A 2023 systematic review of seven randomized trials of bromelain supplements found its effect on blood markers of inflammation inconsistent. A 2023 meta-analysis found oral bromelain lowered pain scores only slightly more than controls, by 0.27 points across 9 studies. Those were capsule doses, which a glass of juice does not give.

Unsettled. Whether pineapple juice calms inflammation is an open question, because the juice itself has not been trialled. The enzyme it is credited with has mixed results in capsules. In mice, juice boiled to switch off its enzymes lost the effect that fresh juice had, and nobody has measured how much active bromelain survives in pasteurized shop juice.

What the trials found

The juice

The only human trial of a drink containing pineapple juice gave 14 overweight adults a mix of pineapple, blackcurrant and plum juices with a high-fat meal, in a double-blind crossover against placebo. The rise in the inflammatory marker IL-17 after the meal was markedly smaller with the juice drink (p = 0.037). That is three juices at once and single meals, so pineapple's share and any lasting effect cannot be read from it.

Bromelain capsules

The 2023 systematic review pooled no estimate. Across seven trials, at 99.9 to 1200 mg a day for 1 to 16 weeks, some combined with other oral compounds, the authors called the overall effect on inflammation inconsistent, citing different populations, doses, durations and markers. The separate 2023 meta-analysis gives the one pooled number above, a pain score 0.27 points lower, with a confidence interval from 0.08 to 0.45. Its authors concluded that bromelain may help sinusitis and did not work for cardiovascular disease.

Single trials point both ways. In 68 Chinese adults with diabetes, 1050 mg of bromelain a day for 12 weeks did not lower C-reactive protein or fibrinogen more than placebo. In 60 patients after skin cancer surgery, 1500 mg a day for 15 days sped healing, and inflammation, pain and cosmetic satisfaction showed only trends that did not reach significance. In 42 young adults after wisdom tooth removal, a freeze-dried pineapple extract carrying 200 mg of bromelain reduced facial swelling on days 3 and 7 against placebo (p below 0.0001), as did purified bromelain. That extract is a standardized product from its maker, and the groups held about 14 people each.

Whole pineapple and infections

In a 9-week trial of 98 school children in the Philippines, those given 4.9 oz (140 g) or 9.9 oz (280 g) of canned pineapple a day had a much shorter average infection than controls. The trial was funded by a pineapple company. It measured infections, not inflammation markers, and reported no statistical test for that result.

Why fresh and processed may differ

In 18 mice with colitis, fresh pineapple juice gave a lower colon inflammation score than juice boiled for 10 minutes, 29 against 39 (p = 0.05). Boiling for 10 minutes is harsher than commercial pasteurization, and this is a mouse result. It still means the enzyme argument, if it holds at all, may not apply to juice from a carton.

Who should be careful

Not for everyone. The cautions on record are for bromelain supplements, at doses far above a glass of juice. Across the seven trials in the 2023 review, 11 participants reported side effects, mainly in the gut, and two stopped. A 2024 review lists diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions and a bleeding risk, especially with anticoagulants such as warfarin and clopidogrel.

If you take any medicine, the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health advises talking with a health care provider before using bromelain, because some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways. For the juice itself, laboratory data show pineapple juice strongly inhibiting CYP2C9, an enzyme that clears several drugs, in human liver preparations in a test tube. This has not been confirmed in people, and the one registered trial of it has no results. Little is known about whether bromelain is safe in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

What expert bodies say

NCCIH says only that some studies suggest oral bromelain might ease some symptoms after wisdom tooth surgery. It makes no claim about general inflammation or about the juice. The European Union refused a claim that pineapple powder with bromelain helps slimming and drains cellulite, and no health claim is authorized for pineapple juice. A refusal means the evidence fell short, not that an effect was disproved.

How we searched

What would change this answer

• A randomized trial of fresh or ordinary shop pineapple juice, measuring C-reactive protein or interleukin-6. None is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov.
• A measurement of how much active bromelain is left in pasteurized juice. Without it, the capsule trials say little about the carton.
• Larger bromelain trials with one agreed inflammation marker, which is what the 2023 review says made its seven trials impossible to combine.

For what pineapple juice carries per glass, see the pineapple juice page. For its other popular claim, see pineapple juice and digestion.

Sources

1. ev-pji-01 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · systematic review of RCTs (PROSPERO CRD42020221395) · n = 7 RCTs
   The general effect of bromelain supplementation on inflammation is inconsistent because of population heterogeneity, doses used, treatment duration, and parameters evaluated.
   
   Who: adults in RCTs of bromelain alone or combined with other oral compounds, 99.9 to 1200 mg a day for 1 to 16 weeks
   Effect: reductions in some markers in four trials; overall effect inconsistent across IL-6, TNF-alpha, CRP and other markers; no pooled estimate
   Certainty: No meta-analysis; supplements, not juice; capsule doses that a glass of juice does not provide.
   Clin Nutr ESPEN, 2023 · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the abstract
2. ev-pji-02 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis · n = 9 studies (pain outcome)
   Pain reduction from oral bromelain was slightly but significantly better than controls (mean difference in pain score = -0.27; 95% CI: -0.45, -0.08; n = 9; I2 = 29%).
   
   Who: clinical studies of oral bromelain versus controls, searched to August 2022 (54 articles reviewed, 39 meta-analyzed)
   Effect: pain score MD -0.27 (95% CI -0.45 to -0.08), I2 = 29%
   Certainty: Pain as an indirect indicator of inflammation; the pain scale is not named in the abstract; no full text in PMC (no_pmc).
   Nutrition and Health, 2023, Efficacy and safety of bromelain: A systematic review and meta-analysis (Leelakanok et al.) · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the abstract
3. ev-pji-03 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis · n = 54 articles reviewed, 39 meta-analyzed
   Bromelain may be effective against sinusitis but was not effective for cardiovascular diseases.
   
   Who: clinical studies of oral bromelain, searched to August 2022
   Effect: possible benefit in sinusitis; no effect in cardiovascular diseases
   Certainty: The conclusion is qualitative; the number of studies per indication is not in the abstract.
   Nutrition and Health, 2023, Efficacy and safety of bromelain: A systematic review and meta-analysis (Leelakanok et al.) · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the abstract
4. ev-pji-04 · Randomized controlled trial(s) · double-blind randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial, single meals · n = 14
   When the HFM was consumed in the presence of the FJD a marked inhibition of IL-17 response to the HFM was observed (ANOVA between treatment p=0.037).
   
   Who: healthy overweight adults eating a 1344 calories high-fat meal with placebo or the fruit juice drink
   Effect: IL-17 rose +2.6 pg/ml at 1 h to +2.98 pg/ml at 4 h after the meal with placebo; marked inhibition with the juice drink (ANOVA between treatment p = 0.037)
   Certainty: A mix of three juices, the contribution of pineapple cannot be isolated; single dose, effect duration 8 hours.
   Curr Pharm Des, 2012 · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the abstract
5. ev-pji-05 · Randomized controlled trial(s) · randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial · n = 68
   Similarly, the difference in mean change in other CVD risk factors (blood lipids, blood pressure), blood glucose, C-reactive protein and anthropometric measures between the bromelain and placebo groups was also not statistically significant.
   
   Who: Chinese patients with diabetes and at least one cardiovascular risk factor, bromelain 1050 mg/day or placebo for 12 weeks
   Effect: fibrinogen mean difference 0.23 g/L (p = 0.291); no significant difference in CRP, lipids, blood pressure, glucose
   Certainty: Groups differed in fibrinogen at baseline; capsule dose.
   Chin J Integr Med, 2016 · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the abstract
6. ev-pji-06 · Randomized controlled trial(s) · randomized three-arm placebo-controlled clinical study · n = 42
   Furthermore, a comparison among the groups indicated a substantial reduction in swelling on days 3 and 7 in both the bromelain and Brome-Inf® groups (p < 0.0001) as opposed to the placebo group.
   
   Who: adults aged 19 to 27 years after extraction of one mandibular third molar, freeze-dried pineapple extract or purified bromelain (200 mg bromelain per 2.5 g) or placebo for 7 days
   Effect: swelling lower than placebo on days 3 and 7 (p < 0.0001); about half the ibuprofen intake (p < 0.0001); trismus not different
   Certainty: Small groups (~14), the extract is standardized to bromelain, not juice; product from the extract manufacturer.
   Nutrients, 2024, An Evaluation of the Effects of Pineapple-Extract and Bromelain-Based Treatment after Mandibular Third Molar Surgery · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the fulltext
7. ev-pji-07 · Randomized controlled trial(s) · single-center parallel-group single-blinded randomized clinical trial · n = 60
   Other outcomes, including inflammation, pain, and cosmetic satisfaction, showed non-significant trends favoring bromelain.
   
   Who: patients with non-melanoma skin cancer after Mohs surgery and flap reconstruction, bromelain 1500 mg/day for 15 days or standard care
   Effect: suture removal 2.6 days earlier (95% CI 0.74 to 4.11); inflammation, pain and cosmetic satisfaction only non-significant trends
   Certainty: Control without placebo; capsule dose.
   BMC Surg, 2026 · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the abstract
8. ev-pji-08 · Randomized controlled trial(s) · randomized controlled trial, unblinded · n = 98
   These data only reveal that the average duration of infection is much shorter for subjects who consumed canned pineapple compared with the control.
   
   Who: school children, mean age 8.4 years, normal weight or underweight, given no pineapple, 140 g or 280 g canned pineapple daily for nine weeks
   Effect: average infection duration 3.26 to 3.30 days (pineapple) vs 5.28 days (control) in normal-weight children; granulocytes and CD16+56 cells increased
   Certainty: Whole canned pineapple flesh, not juice; infections, not inflammatory markers; sponsor DMPI (2019 correction on conflict of interest, PMID 31354990); no statistics for infections.
   Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, 2014, Effects of Canned Pineapple Consumption on Nutritional Status, Immunomodulation, and Physical Health of Selected School Children · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the fulltext
9. ev-pji-09 · Laboratory or animal data · animal experiment · n = 18 mice (9 per group)
   Colonic inflammation was significantly decreased in mice that received fresh juice (mean histologic score ± SEM = 29 ± 4; n = 9) compared with mice that received boiled juice (mean histologic score ± SEM = 39 ± 3; n = 9; p = 0.05 )
   
   Who: IL-10-deficient mice with piroxicam-triggered colitis, fresh or boiled pineapple juice in drinking water for 16 days
   Effect: histologic score 29 +/- 4 (fresh) vs 39 +/- 3 (boiled), p = 0.05
   Certainty: Mice; boiling for 10 min is harsher than pasteurization, but there are no direct data on bromelain activity in store-bought juice for humans.
   Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, 2010, Dietary Supplementation with Fresh Pineapple Juice Decreases Inflammation and Colonic Neoplasia in IL-10-deficient Mice with Colitis · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the fulltext
10. ev-pji-10 · Position of an expert body · agency consumer fact sheet
    Some studies suggest that oral bromelain might be helpful for reducing some symptoms associated with wisdom tooth surgery.
    
    Who: people taking bromelain supplements orally
    Effect: possible relief of some post-surgical symptoms; no claim for general inflammation
    Certainty: About a supplement; NCCIH states nothing about juice or general inflammation.
    NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Bromelain (last updated November 2024) · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the section
11. ev-pji-11 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · systematic review of RCTs · n = 7 RCTs
    Eleven (11) participants experienced side effects, and two discontinued treatment in the studies. The reported adverse effects were mainly gastrointestinal but well tolerated.
    
    Who: adults in RCTs of bromelain alone or combined, 200 to 1200 mg a day for 1 to 16 weeks
    Effect: 11 participants with side effects, 2 discontinuations
    Certainty: Supplement doses are several times higher than in juice.
    Clin Nutr ESPEN, 2023 · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the abstract
12. ev-pji-12 · Position of an expert body · agency consumer fact sheet
    If you take any type of medicine, talk with your health care provider before using bromelain or other herbal products; some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways.
    
    Who: people taking medicines who consider bromelain supplements
    Effect: consult a provider before use
    Certainty: General caveat; the page names no specific interactions.
    NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Bromelain (last updated November 2024) · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the section
13. ev-pji-13 · Laboratory or animal data · narrative review
    Although bromelain is well tolerated and considered a safe nutraceutical, clinical trials have reported some side effects, including temporary diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions, and risk of bleeding, especially in people treated with anticoagulants such as warfarin and clopidogrel [1].
    
    Who: clinical trials of bromelain supplements summarized in a narrative review
    Effect: temporary diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions, bleeding risk with anticoagulants
    Certainty: The review retells other works; there are no data on ordinary amounts of juice.
    Children (Basel), 2024, Current Uses of Bromelain in Children: A Narrative Review · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the fulltext
14. ev-pji-14 · Position of an expert body · agency consumer fact sheet
    Little is known about whether it's safe to use bromelain during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
    
    Who: pregnant or breastfeeding women
    Effect: safety unknown
    Certainty: About a supplement; there are no separate data for juice as food.
    NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Bromelain (last updated November 2024) · checked 2026-10-07 · we read the section
15. pnju-daily-r5-06 · Laboratory or animal data · in vitro study · n = —
    Among the fruits, pineapple juice showed potent inhibition of CYP2C9 activity. The addition of 25 microl (5.0% v/v) of pineapple juice resulted in almost complete inhibition.
    
    Who: human liver microsomes, in vitro
    Effect: 5.0% v/v pineapple juice almost completely inhibited CYP2C9 activity
    Certainty: in vitro; clinical trial NCT01649492 (diclofenac) without results; pasteurized juice may have less active bromelain
    Biosci Biotechnol Biochem, 2008 · checked 2026-09-29 · we read the abstract
16. pnju-daily-r5-11 · Position of an expert body · regulatory register entry · n = —
    POL-HC-6600 Ananas : Pineapple powder (Ananas sativus) obtained from fruit juice and stems AND Dry aqueous extract of pineapple standardized at 2% of bromelain Recommended during slimming diet, at the same time of dietary measures. Pineapple is a tropical plant whose stems contain bromelain, a proteolytic enzymatic complex. Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme with anti-edematous activity which can help to drain tissues with cellulitis. Non-authorised
    
    Who: EU labeling rule
    Effect: non-authorized claim
    Certainty: refusal = there was not enough evidence, not "no effect"; 21 CFR is empty by name
    EU Register on nutrition and health claims, claim POL-HC-6600, snapshot 2026-09-21 · checked 2026-09-29 · we read the section