Written By: Marci Clow, MS, RDN
Have you ever felt like some of the foods that you enjoy the most, just don't agree with your body? If occasional favorites leave you feeling bloated, gassy, or running for the nearest bathroom, your digestive system may be trying to tell you something. One possible culprit? A lack of digestive enzymes, the substances your body uses to break food down into smaller components so your body can absorb and use the nutrients it contains. Keep reading to learn what digestive enzymes are and why they matter.
Key Takeaways
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Digestive enzymes help break down food so your body can absorb and use nutrients.
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Different enzymes digest different components in foods, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and fiber.
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When food isn't digested properly, it may contribute to occasional gas, bloating, and discomfort after meals.
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A broad-spectrum digestive enzyme supplement may help promote healthy digestion.
What are digestive enzymes?
Digestive enzymes are natural substances made by your body that help break down the food you eat. As food moves through your digestive system, enzymes are released from the mouth, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine to break food into smaller pieces. This allows your body to absorb important nutrients from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats and use them for energy, growth, and to maintain everyday functions.
Your body produces most of the digestive enzymes it needs on its own, but small amounts of enzymes can also be found in raw foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Think of digestive enzymes as your body's food-processing team, they do the important work of turning the foods you eat into nutrients your body can use. Without enough digestive enzymes, food may not be broken down efficiently, which can slow digestion and contribute to occasional digestive discomforts.
Why do digestive enzymes matter?
Digestive enzymes are essential to the digestive process, helping to unlock the nutrients in the foods you eat. Without enzymes, you could swallow food, but your body wouldn't be able to properly break it down so nutrients could be absorbed into the bloodstream. In other words, you could eat a meal, but your body would struggle to get the nutritional benefits it provides.
Undigested food can linger in the digestive tract and contribute to occasional digestive discomforts such as bloating and gas or leaving you feeling sluggish after eating. By helping your body break down food more completely, digestive enzymes support nutrient absorption and healthy digestion.
Digestive enzymes matter because a healthy digestive system helps your body get the nutrients it needs to make energy, stay healthy, and support many important functions throughout the body.
How do digestive enzymes work?
There are thousands of different enzymes in the body, each with a specific job. What they all have in common is that they speed up chemical reactions. Enzymes that are specific to digestion work by breaking down food into smaller pieces that your body can absorb and use. Because different foods contain different nutrients, no single digestive enzyme can break down everything.
Some key digestive enzymes include:
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Amylase: breaks down starch and carbohydrates
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Protease: breaks down proteins
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Lipase: breaks down fats (lipids)
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Lactase: breaks down lactose, the natural sugar found in dairy products
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Cellulase: helps break down plant fiber
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Alpha-galactosidase: helps digest the complex carbohydrates in foods like lentils, beans, and gas-producing vegetables
Tip: An easy way to identify an enzyme is that many end with the letters -ase.
Think of digestive enzymes as a team of specialists working together at every meal. Whether you're eating a sandwich or a salad, or drinking a glass of milk, different enzymes are needed to break down the carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and fibers in those foods. Together, they help support efficient digestion and nutrient absorption.
How can digestive enzymes benefit you?
Many people feel their best when their digestive system is functioning properly. Digestive enzymes play an important role by helping break down food into smaller components that can be absorbed and used by the body. When food is digested efficiently, your body is better able to absorb the nutrients it needs to support energy production and everyday functions.
When food isn't broken down properly, it can remain in the digestive tract longer than it should. This may contribute to occasional bloating, gas, or feelings of fullness and discomfort after meals. Digestive enzymes help to promote digestive comfort and get the most from the foods you eat.
While your body naturally produces digestive enzymes, factors such as aging, stress, dietary habits, and certain health conditions may affect enzyme production. For this reason, some people choose digestive enzyme supplements to support healthy digestion, nutrient absorption, and occasional digestive comfort.
Key benefits of digestive enzymes:
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Help break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates
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Promote nutrient absorption
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Support healthy digestion
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Help ease occasional bloating and gas
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Support comfort after meals
What to look for in a digestive enzyme supplement and when to take them
Not all digestive enzyme supplements are the same. Some are designed to support the digestion of specific foods, such as dairy products, while others provide more comprehensive support for everyday digestion.
For general digestive support, look for a broad-spectrum formula that contains a variety of enzymes to help break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. A well-rounded formula may also include enzymes that help break down harder-to-digest food components, such as fiber and the complex carbohydrates found in beans. By targeting multiple types of food, broad-spectrum digestive enzyme supplements may help support nutrient absorption and digestive comfort after meals.
Some formulas also include additional digestive-support ingredients, such as prebiotic fibers, probiotics, or herbs. Because individual needs vary, consider talking with your healthcare provider about which digestive enzyme supplement may be right for you.
Because digestive enzymes work directly on the food you eat, they are most effective when taken prior to or at the beginning of a meal. Consistent use may help support healthy digestion, especially when enjoying larger meals or foods that you find are more difficult to digest.
Factors to consider:
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A broad-spectrum blend of digestive enzymes: to support digestion across a range of foods.
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Enzymes that support the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats: the core macronutrients in most meals.
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Additional enzymes for fiber and other hard-to-digest foods: for broader digestive support.
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Targeted enzymes for specific needs: such as lactase for those who cannot tolerate dairy.
Fruity Fact: Bromelain from pineapple and papain from papaya are naturally occurring enzymes that help break down proteins. In fact, both are commonly used in marinades to help tenderize meat. Beyond digestion, these enzymes have been studied for their ability to help support a healthy inflammatory response.
The Bottom Line
Digestive enzymes are essential for turning the foods you eat into nutrients your body can absorb and use. By supporting the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, they help promote healthy digestion, nutrient absorption, and digestive comfort. While your body naturally produces digestive enzymes, factors such as aging, stress, and dietary habits may affect enzyme production. If you're looking to support digestion or ease occasional bloating and discomfort after meals, a high-quality digestive enzyme supplement may be worth considering.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Sources:
American Gastroenterological Association. New survey finds forty percent of Americans' daily lives are disrupted by digestive troubles. Published September 14, 2022. Accessed June 3, 2026.