Digestive enzymes: What they are, their benefits for gut health, and how to take them

What are digestive enzymes?

Let’s go back to chemistry 101: An enzyme is a protein that helps chemical reactions happen faster and more efficiently in the body. Without enzymes, these processes would happen too slowly for our bodies to function properly. From digestion to immune health and metabolism, every system relies on various enzymes.
Digestive enzymes are the specific proteins that break food into smaller components for nutrients to be absorbed and used for energy, growth, and repair. They turn carbohydrates into sugars, proteins into amino acids, and fats into fatty acids and glycerol. Think of them as your mini sous chefs, doing all the extra, behind-the-scenes cutting and chopping that successful digestion requires. Our bodies have them stationed at all the stops along the food consumption train, from saliva to stomach to small intestine.

Benefits of digestive enzymes for gut health

Your body already produces digestive enzymes like amylase, protease, lipase, and others, which break down carbs, proteins, and fats, respectively. So why supplement? By improving food breakdown before it reaches the intestines, enzymes may help reduce the difficulty of digesting foods, which can also ease bloating and gas.

Top digestive enzyme supplements

Many digestive enzyme products are blends that include several enzymes together (like protease, amylase, and lipase), all of which perform different functions. Here are some of the most important enzymes for gut health:

• Lactase: Breaks down lactose, helping people with lactose intolerance prevent gas, bloating, and diarrhea after dairy.
• Lipase: Helps digest fats into fatty acids and glycerol, benefiting people with fat-related digestive symptoms.
• Protease: Breaks down proteins into amino acids, supporting overall protein digestion.
• Amylase: Breaks down carbohydrates (like bread, pasta, and starches).
• Alpha-galactosidase: Helps digest complex carbs in beans, legumes, and some vegetables, aiding in reducing the gas and bloating often associated with these foods.
• Cellulase: Helps break down fiber and plant cell walls—humans don’t produce this enzyme, so some people take it to ease the digestion of highly fibrous or veggie-forward meals.
• Bromelain and Papain (found in pineapple and papaya): Plant-derived, protease enzymes that help break down proteins into amino acids.

How to choose the best probiotic with digestive enzymes

That’s an important distinction: digestive enzymes are different from probiotics. Broadly speaking, probiotics support the balance of beneficial gut bacteria, while digestive enzymes help break down food more efficiently. But when used together—and alongside a healthy diet—enzymes and probiotics can support more optimal gut function.
We always say, the best digestive supplements are ultimately those that fit your routine and help you feel your best. Choosing the right support for you starts with understanding your body’s needs and your wellbeing goals. Those can be just general, ongoing gut balance (and all the good health benefits that come from that) or targeted help breaking down certain foods.
Some people find they benefit more from one than the other, while others may opt to use a digestive enzyme/probiotics together in pursuit of comprehensive support.
AG1 is a good option because it offers both the digestive enzyme bromelain and probiotics in one daily drink, as well as prebiotics and additional nutrients, which provide gut health support*. Our blend is designed to support digestion gently while helping your body access nutrients from whole foods—without adding complexity to your routine.

Tips for improving digestion

Taking enzymes to help digestion is like targeted support to break down specific components of food, which can be useful when digestion feels strained or when certain symptoms reliably follow certain foods. They’re standardized to offer more predictable support for issues like bloating or gas.
But remember: long-term gut health depends on your total diet quality, consistent fiber intake, good microbiome balance, and gut lining health. Eat a variety of whole foods to ensure you’re getting an array of nutritional benefits.
You can also find certain digestive enzymes naturally in foods like pineapple (which has a lot of bromelain), papaya (which has papain), and fermented foods.
In conclusion, digestive enzymes are a useful complement to other gut health go-tos like probiotics and a gut-healthy diet. While they’re not a total replacement for long-term gut-healthy habits, digestive enzymes can help improve comfort, nutrient absorption, and overall digestive function. The goal for all gut health is consistency, balance, and choosing tools like AG1 that help support digestive function and overall wellness each day*

References:

1. Ianiro G, Pecere S, Giorgio V, Gasbarrini A, Cammarota G. Digestive enzyme supplementation in gastrointestinal diseases. Curr Drug Metab. 2016;17(2):187-193. doi:10.2174/138920021702160114150137