Speaking at the annual meeting of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, held in Seattle, Washington, Dr Eric Secor, from the University of Connecticut in Farmington, explained that bromelain has been shown to be a natural anti-inflammatory agent. When inflammation is reduced, blood can move more easily to a traumatised area of the body, thus reducing pain and speeding healing.

Dr Secor and his team conducted a study to see whether bromelain was effective at reducing asthma inflammation in mice.

The team studied three groups of mice with induced asthma; the first group received 2 mg/kg bromelain each day for 8 days, the second group received 6 mg/kg for 8 days, while the remaining control group was given a saline solution (placebo).

At the end of the study period, the researchers examined blood and lung tissue samples taken from the mice.

They found that those treated with bromelain had significantly reduced total white blood cell counts, which increased with the onset of asthma, compared with mice in the control group. Furthermore, eosinophils, the main inflammatory cells associated with asthma, were reduced by more than 50% in the lungs of the mice following treatment with bromelain. No such changes were seen among mice in the control group.

Dr Secor concluded: "This study could offer a significant breakthrough in the treatment of a pulmonary disorder that has reduced the quality of life for millions of Americans."

He added: "Further research will indicate whether bromelain supplements could be a useful treatment regimen for asthma and many other acute and chronic inflammatory diseases."