Bromelain (an enzyme from pineapple) showed modest benefits for pain relief—about 0.27 points better than placebo on pain scales—and worked better for sinus infections. It didn't help with heart health. Topical bromelain on wounds sped up healing by about 7 days. Side effects were mild (nausea, gas, headache) with no serious health risks reported.

Researchers reviewed 54 studies about bromelain published through August 2022, then analyzed 39 of them together to compare results across different uses and populations.

Funding not disclosed in abstract