Better Digestion with Pineapple and Papaya Enzymes

Better Digestion with Pineapple and Papaya Enzymes

Many people experience frequent digestive issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and cramping after eating.  If this describes you, you are not alone. About 70 million Americans are affected by digestive issues, according to the National Institutes of Health.  So what can you do? 

Enzymes Play an important Role in Digestion

Digestive enzymes play a key role in breaking down the food you eat. Your body produces natural enzymes to speed up chemical reactions to break down large food molecules into smaller nutrients that can be absorbed by your digestive tract and distributed through the bloodstream.  If your body is not producing enough digestive enzymes on its own, it will not be able to completely digest the food you eat, leading to pesky stomach aches and other painful issues.   

In addition to breaking down food, enzymes also play an important role in immune function by keeping bacteria, yeast, and protozoa out of the intestines. Digestion that is slow and uncomfortable can also leave you malnourished. A shortage of digestive enzymes can lead to allergies or toxicity in the intestines with uncomfortable symptoms including bloating, gas, food intolerances, IBS and other GI disturbances.   Certain health conditions such as diabetes or dehydration can also interfere with the production of digestive enzymes. 

The Anti-Inflammatory Digestive Benefits of Pineapple and Papaya Enzymes 

There are many sources of natural enzymes that you can add to your diet to help improve your gut health.  The natural enzymes derived from pineapple and papaya, Bromelain and Papain, are by far the most popular combination of digestive enzymes.  Extensive studies have shown that Bromelain, from the stem of the pineapple plant, is an exceptional digestive enzyme because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Since most digestion issues are related to various forms of inflammation, these inflammatory reactions can be decreased or alleviated by bromelain.  For example, IBS is a disorder of the large intestine that causes gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and cramping. It can get worse when triggered by food, stress, or illness. Bromelain’s protein-digesting effects break up the products of inflammation, many of which are protein molecules. 

Originating from papaya, Papain is a strong digestive aid. When Papain digests proteins, it blocks the growth of harmful gut bacteria and also degrades a component of gluten that causes problems in people with celiac disease, IBS and indigestion.  In addition, papain is also able to break down carbohydrates and fats as well to further its digestive enzyme abilities.

Papain is advantageous in that it works in a broad range of pH levels unlike the digestive enzymes your body produces that require a certain level of acidity or alkalinity to take effect. 

In addition to their digestive properties, Bromelain and Papain are also great anti-inflammatory choices to assist in easing joint pain, swelling, and muscle soreness. 

How to Add Bromelain and Papain Enzymes To Your Daily Routine

Drinking Bala everyday is a great way to improve your digestion and support your body’s overall wellness.  Pineapple’s Bromelain and Papaya’s Papain enzymes are key active ingredients in Bala.  Formulated by doctors, Bala is a convenient way to benefit from the natural anti-inflammatory properties of plant enzymes in a delicious, sugar-free drink.   Bala is available in 3 great tasting, not overly sweet flavors - pineapple, lime, and berry, and is easy to add to your daily routine.  Just tear open a stick pack, add to 16 ounces of water (or more depending on your taste), shake well, and drink.