9 Foods with Natural Digestive Enzymes

Digestive enzymes are produced by the body and aid in the digestion and breakdown of food. Some foods contain natural digestive enzymes and may provide further digestive support.

The digestive system is a group of organs that work together to break down and absorb the macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) in the food we eat ^{(1, 2)}. The digestive system is made up of the gastrointestinal tract, also known as the GI tract or digestive tract, and the accessory organs, which include the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. The GI tract is a long, hollow, twisting tube that includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus.

The digestive process involves both the mechanical and chemical digestion of food. Mechanical digestion primarily occurs in the mouth and stomach, where food is broken down into smaller particles to more efficiently undergo chemical digestion in the mouth, stomach, and small intestine. Digestive enzymes are integral to chemical digestion.

What are digestive enzymes?

Digestive enzymes are proteins produced by the body that aid digestion ^{(1, 2)}. They are released into the digestive tract through the salivary glands, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine, and help break down food into smaller, absorbable units for energy, growth, and repair. Digestive enzymes convert carbohydrates into sugars, proteins into amino acids, and fats into fatty acids.

Types of Digestive Enzymes

There are three main types of digestive enzymes, amylase, protease, and lipase, which are produced by the salivary glands, pancreas, stomach, and small intestine ^{(1, 2)}.

• Amylase: Breaks down carbohydrates, produced by the salivary glands and pancreas.
• Protease: Breaks down proteins, produced by the stomach, pancreas, and small intestine.
• Lipase: Breaks down fats, primarily produced in the pancreas.

In addition to the primary digestive enzymes, many other types aid in the digestion of various foods, including:

• Lactase: Breaks down lactose, found in dairy products.
• Maltase: Breaks down maltose, a form of sugar.
• Sucrase: Breaks down sucrose, a form of sugar.
• Pepsin: Breaks down proteins.

While the body naturally produces digestive enzymes, certain health conditions can reduce or impair their production, including exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, lactose intolerance, and certain metabolic disorders such as diabetes ⁽³⁾.

Low digestive enzyme levels can cause poor nutrient absorption and symptoms of poor digestion, including abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and oily stools ⁽⁴⁾.

Consuming a healthy diet composed primarily of whole foods and minimally processed foods with a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats, and fiber is the best way to improve digestion and gut health.

In addition to being produced by the body, some foods naturally contain digestive enzymes, and their consumption can further help to support digestive health. Although there is limited scientific evidence to suggest that enzyme-rich foods significantly improve digestion, many of them are traditionally consumed and used in Ayurvedic medicine.

Foods with Digestive Enzymes

Here is a list of foods that contain natural digestive enzymes that can help improve digestion.

1. Pineapple

Pineapples contain bromelain, a group of digestive enzymes that help to break down proteins, which can be found in the stem and fruit of the pineapple plant. Bromelain, also called ‘pineapple extract,’ can be taken in supplemental form and has been shown to reduce heartburn and act as a nasal decongestant ⁽⁵⁾. Pineapple has a long history of use for medicinal purposes in South and Central America ⁽⁶⁾.

2. Papaya

Papaya contains a natural digestive enzyme called papain. Papain is a proteolytic enzyme that breaks down protein, primarily the peptide bonds in the basic amino acids arginine, lysine, and phenylalanine ⁽⁷⁾. Studies have shown that papaya-based supplements contribute to the maintenance of digestive tract physiology, as well as improve symptoms of IBS ⁽⁸⁾. While much of the research on papain has been conducted with supplements rather than the whole fruit, the consumption of papaya may help with symptoms like bloating, gas, and constipation.

3. Mango

Mangos contain amylase enzymes, a group of digestive enzymes that break down carbohydrates from starches into simple sugars. Amylase generally increases as the fruit ripens, contributing to the changes in texture and taste during ripening. Mangos are also a good source of dietary fiber and water, which can further aid digestion, and the regular consumption of mango has been shown to relieve symptoms of constipation ⁽⁹⁾.

4. Avocado

Avocados naturally contain the digestive enzyme lipase, which aids in the breakdown of fat. Lipase is produced by the pancreas, and, for some individuals, supplemental lipase can aid with the digestion of a high-fat meal ⁽¹⁰⁾. Avocados are also a great source of fiber, providing 4.6 grams of fiber per 1/2 avocado, which helps to add bulk to the stool, prevent constipation, and regulate bowel movements ⁽¹¹⁾.

5. Banana

Bananas contain amylases and glucosidases, two groups of digestive enzymes that break down carbohydrates. Like mangos, the enzymes in bananas increase as the fruit ripens, which contributes to the increase in sweetness as bananas ripen from green to yellow ⁽¹²⁾. The soluble and insoluble fiber in bananas supports regular digestion, and green bananas contain resistant starch, which is a type of fiber that acts as a prebiotic to support gut health. Bananas are also a great source of potassium, which plays a crucial role in the contractions of the digestive tract for regular bowel movements.

6. Raw Honey

Honey, specifically raw honey, contains amylase and protease that can help break down carbohydrates and proteins. Raw honey is unpasteurized, meaning it has not been heated before packaging and has only been strained to separate the honey from impurities like beeswax and dead bees ⁽¹³⁾. In addition to enzymes, raw honey is rich in antioxidants, amino acids, and contains a wide range of vitamins and trace minerals, and has a long history of antibacterial and antiviral use for sore throats and wound healing ⁽¹⁴⁾.

7. Ginger

Ginger contains a cysteine protease enzyme called zingibain. Found in ginger rhizomes, zingibain aids in the breakdown of proteins to amino acids, specifically peptides with a proline residue at the P2 position ⁽¹⁵⁾. Ginger has traditionally been treated as a medicine in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda as a treatment for nausea, morning sickness in pregnancy, and motion sickness ⁽¹⁶⁾. Small dosages of supplemental ginger have also been shown to be effective in increasing intestinal motility.

8. Kefir

Kefir is a fermented food that contains a variety of digestive enzymes, including lipases, proteases, and lactases ^{(17, 18)}. It is made by adding kefir grains – small colonies of yeast and bacteria that resemble cauliflower or popcorn – to milk, which ferments to produce a thick and tangy beverage resembling yogurt. The lactases in kefir are particularly beneficial for digestion as they aid in the digestion of lactose, the sugar in milk, which is often poorly digested.

9. Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut is a fermented cabbage dish and contains the digestive enzymes lipase, lactase, and protease ⁽¹⁹⁾. The fermentation process produces lactic acid bacteria which gives sauerkraut its distinctive sour taste and form beneficial bacteria known as probiotics. Many studies have shown that the regular consumption of probiotic foods can improve digestion, potentially reduce the risk of certain diseases, and even improve mental health.

Can you supplement digestive enzymes?

Yes, digestive enzymes can be found in supplemental form and have been shown to aid in digestion ⁽²⁰⁾. Digestive enzyme supplements come in a variety of formats, including over-the-counter and prescription, and contain different combinations of enzymes, including amylase, lipase, and protease.

The only FDA-regulated enzyme replacement therapy is pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) and must be prescribed by a medical doctor ⁽²¹⁾. Over-the-counter digestive enzymes are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, so dosage, ingredients, and concentrations are not guaranteed. For this reason, it is best to consult with a medical professional or registered dietitian to determine if digestive enzymes, as well as what type and dosage, are a good fit for you.

Is it better to take digestive enzymes or probiotics?

Digestive enzymes should not be confused with probiotics. Digestive enzymes are proteins that break down food into smaller, absorbable units in the digestive tract, while probiotics are beneficial live microorganisms, primarily bacteria and yeasts, that can enhance gut health.

Digestive enzymes supplements are not a replacement for probiotic supplements, and probiotic supplements are not a replacement for digestive enzymes supplements. Neither is inherently “better” than the other; rather, they have different roles and benefits in the body and to our health.

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