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12 Best Digestive Enzyme Supplements For Breaking Down Food & Supporting Gut Health*

Merrell Readman
Author: Medical reviewer:
Updated on May 23, 2023
Merrell Readman
mbg Associate Food & Health Editor
By Merrell Readman
mbg Associate Food & Health Editor
Merrell Readman is the Associate Food & Health Editor at mindbodygreen. Readman is a Fordham University graduate with a degree in journalism and a minor in film and television. She has covered beauty, health, and well-being throughout her editorial career.
Scott Nass, M.D., MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS
Medical review by
Scott Nass, M.D., MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS
Board-certified Family Physician
Scott Nass, M.D., MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS is a family physician and HIV specialist in California. He takes a holistic approach to healthcare, incorporating principles of functional medicine and using food as medicine when working with patients.
May 23, 2023
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Digestion is a natural process that takes place within every body—but have you ever considered how your body actually breaks down food? One important player: digestive enzymes.

These proteins are organically created within the pancreas (there are three main types: amylase, proteases, and lipase)—however, if your body isn't making enough of them, it may be more difficult to digest food and absorb the essential nutrients your balanced diet provides.

Although a deficiency of digestive enzymes in the body is not entirely common, adding this supplement to your routine can make it easier for the body to break down food in general. But, should everyone be taking digestive enzymes? We consulted the experts for their take plus the best options on the market.

A quick look at the best digestive enzyme supplements

What do digestive enzymes do? 

Before determining if you actually need a digestive enzyme supplement in your diet, it's important to know the role it plays within the body. "Digestive enzymes are proteins that break down food macromolecules into their smaller building blocks, in order to facilitate their absorption into the body through the gut lining," digestive health expert Vincent Pedre, M.D., previously explained to mbg. "The body makes a variety of digestive enzymes, from amylase in saliva to proteases in the stomach to lipase in the small intestine."

In simpler terms, the important macronutrients of proteins, fats, and carbs all naturally get broken down and absorbed into the body. A digestive enzyme supplement helps support this function in the body, to help reap the important benefits of all the healthy foods you're eating.

Summary

Digestive enzymes are proteins that break down the important macronutrients of food into their smaller building blocks, facilitating their absorption into the body through the gut lining.

Who could benefit from taking digestive enzymes? 

Anyone with suboptimal gut health may benefit from the addition of a digestive enzyme within their daily routine, to soothe bloating and discomfort and ensure you're actually getting the nutritional benefits from the variety of foods you're eating. "People with more bloating and gas, particularly if over the age of 50, are more likely to be low in stomach acid and be at risk for low production of enzymes," Terry Wahls, M.D., once noted.

Other signs you may benefit from a digestive enzyme:

  • Lack of bowel movement regularity
  • Frequent burping
  • Feeling especially full after meals

Now, without any further ado, here are the best digestive enzyme supplements out there—carefully selected by nutrition scientist and mindbodygreen's VP of scientific affairs, Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN.

mbg's picks for the best digestive enzymes of 2023

Best organic whole foods blend with enzymes: mindbodygreen organic veggies+

Save 10% with code:
MBG10
view on mindbodygreen | $60

Pros

  • Versatile
  • 31 powerhouse ingredients
  • Prebiotics, probiotics, digestive enzymes

Cons

  • Earthy flavor

Dietary considerations:

VeganNon-GMOGluten-freeUSDA-certified organicDairy-freeSoy-free

Form:

Powder

Dosage:

1 tbsp

It's always a good idea to sneak some extra veggies into your day where you can, and mbg's organic veggies+ provides a blend of organic whole foods alongside enzymes to support smooth digestion while promoting a healthy gut microbiome. Easy to blend into smoothies and a variety of other tasty recipes, this is a great way to get the digestive enzymes you need alongside pre- and probiotics.*


Plus, save 10% with code MBG10.

What our reviewers say:

"Needless to say, I'm a fan. I love that mindbodygreen's organic veggies+ tastes good, it's organic, it supports the digestive system, and I can actually feel it doing good in my body.*" — Paige Bourassa, DACM, L.Ac., RHN

Read the rest of Paige's review, here.

Best full-spectrum blend: Pure Synergy Enzyme Power™

Pros

  • Gentle yet potent

Cons

  • Not vegan-friendly
  • Larger pill, may be difficult to swallow

Dietary considerations:

Non-GMOKosherVegetarian

Form:

Capsule

Dosage:

1 capsule

Considering a balanced diet contains an array of macronutrients, it only makes sense that your supplement should be able to account for this. This full-spectrum digestive enzyme offers support as your body breaks down proteins, fats, carbs, and fiber to streamline the process of getting the most nutrients out of your meals.*

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Best pancreatic enzymes with HCl & bile: Designs for Health Digestzymes™

Pros

  • Focused protein digestion support*
  • Features bile

Cons

  • May cause upset stomach if taken without food

Dietary considerations:

Non-GMOVegetarian

Form:

Capsule

Dosage:

1 capsule

Combining pancreatic enzymes alongside betaine HCI to support the digestion of your primary macronutrients, this supplement is great for those who experience gas and bloating following meals. Non-GMO and stored in a glass bottle to preserve the product, this affordable option helps to naturally support the process of digestion.*

Best for gluten sensitivity: Metagenics SpectraZyme® Gluten Digest

Pros

  • Gentle on the stomach
  • Promotes digestion of gluten*

Cons

  • Not vegan-friendly
  • 2 capsule dose
  • Pricey

Dietary considerations:

Non-GMOGluten-freeVegetarian

Form:

Capsule

Dosage:

2 capsules

If you struggle with a gluten sensitivity then you know the discomfort and bloating that can come from eating foods that don't agree with you. Formulated with Tolerase G to help aid in the digestion of gluten, this supplement will support your body as you eat the foods you love.*

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Best for FODMAP sensitivity: Microbiome Labs FODMATE

Pros

  • Helps digest foods with FODMAPs*
  • Helps digest lactose*

Cons

  • Plastic bottle
  • Short-term use only

Dietary considerations:

Vegetarian

Form:

Capsule

Dosage:

2 capsules

FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) are short chain carbohydrates that may be more difficult to digest for certain individuals, resulting in bloating. Designed for short-term use to help ease the digestion of FODMAP-rich foods, this supplement works to enhance the benefit of a low-FODMAP diet and help you and your gut feel your best.*

Best systemic enzymes: Pure Encapsulations Systemic Enzyme Complex

Pros

  • Helps provide joint support*

Cons

  • 3-capsule serving size
  • Plastic bottle

Dietary considerations:

Non-GMOGluten-freeDairy-freeSoy-free

Form:

Capsule

Dosage:

3 capsules

The foods you eat can have an impact on the entirety of your body, including your muscles and bones. This supplement specifically works to support the muscular system, smoothing digestion and promoting muscle comfort, as wells joint and cartilage health.*

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Best plant-based: Truvani Digestive Enzymes

Pros

  • Gentle on the stomach

Cons

  • The excipient list (aka "other" ingredients) contains rice, which can be starchy

Dietary considerations:

VeganNon-GMOGluten-free

Form:

Capsule

Dosage:

1 capsule

While a plant-based diet is undeniably good for the body, certain veggies may be more difficult to break down, and it's here that a digestive enzyme becomes useful. This gentle vegan formula works with your body to support the digestive tract so you can absorb all the nutrients from your balanced diet with optimal comfort.*

Best for bloat: mindbodygreen gut health bundle+

Pros

  • Includes digestive enzymes, probiotics, prebiotics, veggies blend, herbs, and more
  • Provides well-rounded digestive balance*

Cons

  • On the pricier side

Dietary considerations:

VeganNon-GMOGluten-freeUSDA-certified organicDairy-freeSoy-free

Form:

PowderCapsule

Dosage:

1 tbsp1 capsule

Sometimes your gut may need a little extra help to feel it's best, and calling in a probiotic alongside your digestive enzyme may be useful to optimize digestive health so your body can most effectively absorb nutrients. Featuring a probiotic packed with four targeted strains to fight bloat, this combination is the powerhouse duo your gut needs.*

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Best probiotic-enzyme combo: Master Supplements TruFlora

Pros

  • Prebiotics and probiotics

Cons

  • Long list of excipients (aka "other" ingredients)

Dietary considerations:

VeganNon-GMOGluten-freeDairy-freeSoy-free

Form:

Capsule

Dosage:

1 capsule

Adding a probiotic into your diet will naturally feed the good bacteria in your gut, and alongside digestive enzymes you can work towards optimal gut health. These effective capsules contain two digestive enzymes and 15 billion CFU of probiotics to safely support your digestion.*

Pros

  • Budget-friendly
  • pH optimized enzyme

Cons

  • Not vegan-friendly
  • May cause stomach upset

Dietary considerations:

Gluten-freeDairy-freeRawVegetarian

Form:

Capsule

Dosage:

1 capsule

Your wallet doesn't have to hurt after purchasing a quality supplement that actually supports your health, and these raw enzyme capsules from Garden of Life help your body to digest difficult foods while making it easier to absorb their valuable nutrients. pH optimized to boost the entirety of your digestive tract as you eat, this affordable supplement also fits in well with a vegetarian diet.*

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Best chewable enzymes: Seeking Health Digestion Intensive

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Chewable

Cons

  • Plastic bottle
  • 2-capsule serving size
  • Adults only

Dietary considerations:

Dairy-freeSoy-freeVegetarian

Form:

Tablet

Dosage:

2 tablets

For those who have difficulty swallowing, a chewable supplement, compared to a capsule, may be a better fit for getting the digestive enzymes you need. Taken before meals and offering a broad spectrum of digestive enzymes in one tablet, this supplement has anti-inflammatory benefits and makes breaking down food and nutrient absorption that much smoother.*

Best for children: NOW Papaya Enzymes

Pros

  • Great flavor
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Plastic bottle

Dietary considerations:

Non-GMOSoy-freeKosher

Form:

Lozenge

Dosage:

2 lozenges

Children may also benefit from taking a digestive support supplement, and these papaya enzyme lozenges are not only great tasting, but particularly effective in providing the body with what it needs to experience smooth digestion.* Just make sure to take them after your meals.

How we chose

Digest enzyme variety

We selected supplements that deliver an array of high-quality digestive enzymes to holistically support the digestion of carbohydrates, fibers, proteins, fats, and more.

Plant-origin when possible

While not all nutrients and targeted bioactives are plant origin by design, our product selections leverage as many botanicals, herbs, and phytonutrients as possible.

Synergistic bioactives

In the product lineup chosen, you'll find formulas with a spectrum of digestive enzymes, and many thoughtful formulas are bolstered with herbs, prebiotic fiber, and even probiotics.

Clean formulas overall

Whether a capsule, powder, or chewable—we choose to elevate brands and products with high-quality active ingredients and a short, clean list of excipients with useful functions.

When to take digestive enzymes

Your bottle of digestive enzymes should include directions on when to take them to best reap the benefits, but remember that this supplement is intended to make the process of digestion that much smoother.* With that, taking them just before you eat your meal will set your body on the right track to break down food and adequately absorb the nutrients your meal provides.* Some brands, however, recommend taking your enzyme supplement with food or shortly after eating—it all comes down to which product you choose.

Summary

While it depends on the product you use, taking digestive enzymes just before you eat your meal will set your body on the right track to break down food and adequately absorb the nutrients your meal provides.*

Possible side effects

As with any new supplement, staying cognizant of the side effects is essential, and it's always worth checking in with your health care professional for guidance.

Depending on which product you choose, side effects for digestive enzymes may include:

  • Stomach discomfort or cramping
  • Queasiness
  • Frequent bowel movements

The risk of these side effects is relatively minimal as long as you're taking the recommended dose of your specific supplement. Additionally, taking digestive enzymes with or directly before a meal can help to mitigate any unwanted side effects, and choosing a gentle option may reduce the odds altogether.

The takeaway

Healthy and smooth digestion is essential for feeling comfortable in your body and getting the most nutrients out of the foods you're eating. If you regularly experience bloating, gas, and discomfort after eating, it may be worth considering a digestive enzyme for your mealtime routine to help your body break down food more effectively and support your overall well-being.*

While you can consume these enzymes from outside food sources, for those with suboptimal gut health, a digestive enzyme supplement can provide extra, targeted support.*

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications, consult with your doctor before starting a supplement routine. It is always optimal to consult with a health care provider when considering what supplements are right for you.
And do you want to turn your passion for wellbeing into a fulfilling career? Become a Certified Health Coach! Learn more here.

Meet The Experts

Merrell Readman is the Associate Food & Health Editor at mindbodygreen. Readman is a Fordham University graduate with a degree in journalism and a minor in film and television. She has covered beauty, health, and well-being throughout her editorial career.
Scott Nass, M.D., MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS is a family physician and HIV specialist in California. He takes a holistic approach to healthcare, incorporating principles of functional medicine and using food as medicine when working with patients.