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:: Volume 21, Issue 3 (Autumn 2026) ::
Iranian J Nutr Sci Food Technol 2026, 21(3): 1-12 Back to browse issues page
The Effects of Bromelain Supplementation on Ulcerative Colitis Management: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Trial
R Samieyan , A Sadeghi * , M.J Pasand , M Rahmanian , P Mohammadi , S Shahrokhi
Abstract:   (554 Views)
Background and Objectives: Experimental studies have shown promising results about the effects of bromelain consumption in colitis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of bromelain supplementation in patients with ulcerative colitis.
 Materials & Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 58 patients diagnosed with active mild to moderate UC. Participants were randomized to receive either 200 mg bromelain three times a day (600 mg bromelain per day), or the same amount of placebo for eight week. At the start and the end of the intervention, quality of life, and disease severity were assessed using IBDQ_9 and SCCAI questionnaires respectively, while inflammatory, and anti-oxidant capacity were assessed in blood and fecal samples.
Results: Quality of life significantly increased in the bromelain group after the intervention (39.41 ± 6.93 vs. 45.27 ± 5.4; Δ = +5.86 ± 1.64, p < 0.001). Moreover, reduction in SCCAI was observed in the bromelain group (7.93 ± 2.90 vs. 5.75 ± 2.57; Δ = –2.17 ± 1.46, p < 0.001)., while no significant change was observed in the placebo group.
Stool calprotectin, hs-CRP, and TNF-a markedly decreased in the bromelain group (415.58 ± 641.26 vs. 150.93 ± 208.81; Δ = –264.65 ± 482.09, p = 0.006), (7.63 ± 9.63 vs. 5.32 ± 7.80; Δ = –2.31 ± 6.6, p = 0.04), (51.56 ± 19.15 vs. 38.96 ± 18.30; Δ = –11.55 ± 11.39, p < 0.001), respectively, whereas no significant change was observed in the placebo group. In addition, total antioxidant capacity increased significantly in the bromelain group (859.62 ± 570.27 vs. 1369.75 ± 636.39; Δ = +510.13 ± 738, p = 0.001).

Conclusion: These findings suggest that bromelain supplementation may improve quality of life and disease activity in patients, partly through reducing inflammatory markers and enhancing antioxidant capacity.
Keywords: Bromelain, Ulcerative colitis, Inflammatory bowel disease, Proteolytic enzyme, Inflammatory markers
Full-Text [PDF 814 kb]   (168 Downloads)    
Article type: Research | Subject: nutrition
Received: 2026/01/4 | Accepted: 2026/02/2 | Published: 2026/09/30

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Samieyan R, Sadeghi A, Pasand M, Rahmanian M, Mohammadi P, Shahrokhi S. The Effects of Bromelain Supplementation on Ulcerative Colitis Management: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Trial. Iranian J Nutr Sci Food Technol 2026; 21 (3) :1-12
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Volume 21, Issue 3 (Autumn 2026) Back to browse issues page
Iranian Journal of  Nutrition Sciences and Food  Technology
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