Digestive enzymes, medicines and allergies: what to check first

A food supplement is not a medicine, but that does not mean it suits everyone. Before you start an enzyme supplement, three things are worth checking: whether it is meant for you, whether it fits with any medicines you take, and whether you are allergic or sensitive to any of its ingredients.

This article brings those checks together. It is general information, and it does not replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist, who know your health and your medicines.

Who is Goodness Digestive Enzymes for?

Goodness Digestive Enzymes is for adults.

• It is not recommended for children, or for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
• If you take medication or are under medical care, ask your doctor or pharmacist before use.
• A food supplement does not replace a varied, balanced diet.
• If you have ongoing digestive complaints, see a doctor: a supplement is not a substitute for a diagnosis.

There is a reason for the first point. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) notes that many dietary supplements have not been tested in pregnant women, nursing mothers or children. For bromelain, one of the 13 enzymes, NCCIH says little is known about whether it is safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Why do your medicines matter?

Supplements and medicines can affect each other. According to NCCIH, taking them together may have unintended effects, including:

• increasing the effect of a medicine;
• decreasing the effect of a medicine;
• interacting with the medicine in harmful ways.

On bromelain specifically, NCCIH advises: if you take any type of medicine, talk with your health care provider before using bromelain or other herbal products, because some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways.

The authoritative sources we checked do not list specific interactions for the enzymes in Goodness Digestive Enzymes, so this article does not name any. That is exactly why the advice is to ask: your doctor or pharmacist can check the product against the medicines you actually take.

To make that conversation easy:

• Bring a list of everything you take: prescription medicines, medicines bought without a prescription, vitamins, herbal products and other supplements. NCCIH advises telling your health care providers about all of them.
• Show your pharmacist the pack, so they can read the full ingredient list.
• Ask again whenever a medicine is added or changed.

What if you are having surgery?

NCCIH notes that certain dietary supplements may increase the risk of bleeding or affect your response to anaesthesia. If you are going to have an operation, tell your health care providers about all the supplements you take, as far in advance as possible.

Can you be allergic to digestive enzymes?

Yes, it is possible. Two of the enzymes in Goodness Digestive Enzymes come from fruit: bromelain from pineapple and papain from papaya.

A 2023 study in the journal Foods describes these as members of a family of plant enzymes that also includes actinidin from kiwi fruit and ficin from figs. Enzymes from this family have been reported as a cause of allergic reactions. The study notes that many reports involve people exposed at work, for example by breathing in enzyme dust, and that the same enzymes can also cause reactions when eaten in food.

A 2021 review of bromelain in the journal Life describes possible allergic reactions to bromelain, from mild to severe.

What is the link between latex and fruit?

Some people who are allergic to latex also react to certain fruits. A 2024 review in the Journal of Clinical Medicine on this "latex-fruit syndrome" found that the fruits most often reported were banana, avocado, kiwi and papaya. Reactions to other foods, including pineapple, have also been described.

What should you do if you have a known allergy?

If you are allergic or sensitive to any of the following, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Goodness Digestive Enzymes:

• pineapple or papaya;
• kiwi fruit or figs;
• latex;
• any other ingredient of the product.

The full ingredient list is printed on the pack. The capsule shell is made of gelatin.

What if you notice a reaction?

NCCIH's advice for any supplement is simple: if you have side effects, stop taking it and contact your health care provider.

Some reactions are emergencies. The UK's National Health Service (NHS) describes anaphylaxis as a life-threatening allergic reaction that happens very quickly, and that can be caused by food or medicine. Call your local emergency number straight away if:

• your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen;
• you are breathing very fast or struggling to breathe;
• your throat feels tight or you are struggling to swallow;
• you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy;
• someone faints and cannot be woken up.

Does "natural" mean safe?

Not always. Enzymes from pineapple and papaya come from plants, but NCCIH points out that "natural" does not always mean "safe". Checking first is sensible for any supplement, whatever its source.

Where can you find the safety notes?

The How to use page gives the directions together with the safety notes, and the FAQ answers common questions. The Ingredients page lists all 13 enzymes and where they come from. To understand what the enzymes do, start with What do digestive enzymes do? and Protein enzymes: protease, bromelain and papain; for timing, read When should you take digestive enzymes?.

Goodness Digestive Enzymes is a food supplement that supports healthy digestion. It does not replace a varied, balanced diet.