Best Digestive Enzymes: A Pharmacist’s Opinion (2025)

Best Digestive Enzymes in Capsule Form

Our Selection Criteria

• Origin: enzymes can be of animal, plant, or microbial origin.
• Composition: digestive enzymes contained in the supplement.
• Amount of lactase: lactase is essential for the digestion of dairy products (in ALU).
• Certificate of Analysis: check for the absence of heavy metals and suspect solvents
• Price / day: this is the daily price for the recommended daily dose by the brand.
• Customer reviews: these product reviews are collected from the brand’s website, review sites, or Amazon.
• Our opinion on the brand: following the supplement brand tests we conduct each month.

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Our Choice

We selected Nutri&Co’s digestive enzyme supplement for the quality of its nutritional composition.

Indeed, it contains 7 highly active enzymes, which help combat lactose intolerance and handle a heavy meal.

This supplement contains a very large amount of lactase (12,000 ALU for 2 capsules) to offer true effectiveness against lactose intolerance.

We like the Nutri&Co brand because it is reliable and transparent (read our full test here to learn more). Furthermore, customer reviews are very good.

This brand is based in Aix en Provence and places particular importance on the quality of the active ingredients in its products.

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What are digestive enzymes used for?

Essential proteins for digestion

Digestive enzymes are naturally produced by the body. They are proteins that promote biochemical reactions in our body.

During digestion, their role is to break down food substances to facilitate their assimilation: this is called hydrolysis of foods.

There are 3 main types of digestive enzymes.

Glycolytic

Amylase, for example, is an enzyme secreted by the salivary glands and the pancreas, allowing the digestion of slow sugars (it breaks down carbohydrates into glucose molecules).

Lactase is an enzyme that helps digest milk.

The lipolytic ones

Lipases, on their part, take care of fats, found in the stomach and intestines, where they break down triglycerides.

These lipids can lead to cardiovascular issues when present in excess in our bodies. Furthermore, without lipase, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) become deficient. 

The proteolytic ones

Proteases, notably pepsin, break down proteins into amino acids. This enzyme also acts as a barrier in the intestine and preserves the integrity of digestive membranes.

A lack of proteases can lead to allergies or the presence of foreign agents in the intestine. 

Enzymes are present throughout our digestive tract: amylase is found in the mouth, pepsin in the stomach, lipase, proteases, amylase in the pancreas, and lactase in the intestine. 

When should you supplement with digestive enzymes? 

Digestive enzymes are essential for facilitating digestion, especially in certain conditions where the digestive system poorly assimilates provided nutrients.

This is the case with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, a condition leading to problems with digestive enzyme production or their action.

Food intolerance situations can also be improved by taking digestive enzymes. 

The natural aging process causes enzyme deficiencies, reducing proper food absorption, and leading to digestive disorders.

Finally, in cases of overly large meals, our digestive enzymes may struggle to hydrolyze the entire food bolus.

Foods are then incompletely digested, and ferment in our digestive tract. This induces the appearance of digestive disorders such as bloating or gas.

Supplementation does not replace our endogenous enzymes, but can support the work of our natural enzymes.

The benefits of digestive enzymes

Impact on digestion

Digestive disorders can occur when digestion is incomplete: bloating, diarrhea, stomach pain, cramps.

During a study, 62 people suffering from digestive disorders took, over 5 days, either a capsule of an enzyme complex or a capsule of domperidone, a medication used particularly to relieve nausea and vomiting.

The enzyme complex proved more effective than the medication in reducing abdominal pain.

For other symptoms (bloating, heartburn, nausea) both products had the same effectiveness.

Impact on gluten intolerance

 Between 1 and 6% of the population is believed to suffer from NCGS: non-coeliac gluten sensitivity. 

Symptoms include fatigue, headaches, bloating, and alternating diarrhea and constipation.

They are observed in people consuming gluten-containing foods, who feel better when following a gluten-free diet, but who do not have celiac disease.

This sensitivity reduces these patients’ quality of life. A clinical trial with an enzyme blend concluded a significant reduction in symptoms in these individuals after administration of the blend compared to placebo. 

The improvement was particularly marked in the sensation of incomplete evacuation and headaches. 

Impact on lactose intolerance

80% of the world’s population (over 7 years old) is lactose intolerant, according to France Assos Santé. 

The lactase deficiency, the major enzyme allowing proper digestion of lactose, is the main cause of lactose malabsorption and accompanying gastrointestinal disorders. 

New observations indicate that digestive enzymes can improve lactose intolerance, reduce digestive disorders and malabsorption.

Impact on digestive pathologies

As recalled by this study, digestive enzymes are used in treatment for pancreatic conditions that can lead to malnutrition (pancreatic insufficiency, pancreatitis, cancer).

They are also one of the indicated therapies for patients suffering from cystic fibrosis or diabetes.

Supplementation can significantly improve the quality of life of these patients.

Finally, digestive enzymes are also seen as promising in the management of celiac disease (gluten intolerance) alongside other treatments.

Impact on bad breath 

As shown by this analysis, the activity of certain digestive enzymes, particularly beta-galactosidase, is linked to oral odor.

Beta-galactosidase, which is part of the lactases, is one of the most important enzymes for the breakdown of lactose.

By measuring the level of beta-galactosidase in saliva, one indirectly assesses the synthesis of malodorous substances in the mouth.

Moreover, poor digestion can lead to bad breath. Thus, sufficient activity of digestive enzymes helps maintain fresh breath.

The different forms of digestive enzymes 

In capsules 

Digestive enzymes are generally found in capsule form, as this form allows for easy mixing of several enzyme types.

Manufacturing is easy and cost moderate. Capsules mask taste and odors.
They are, however, sensitive to moisture, and can be inconvenient in cases of swallowing difficulties.

One to three intakes per day may be necessary to meet needs.

In tablet form

This form is also found, obtained by compressing powders. The advantage of the tablet is its easy preservation. Tablets also allow precise dosing.

However, the manufacturing of tablets may involve chemical substances, to the detriment of the final product quality.

In powder form

The powder dissolves in water or is to be sprinkled on food. It may contain a unique type of enzyme (papain, bromelain) or a complex of enzymes.

This bulk form is generally low-dosed or requires multiple doses. Sensitive to oxidation and moisture, they can therefore be more easily contaminated by germs.

Criteria to Consider

1. Origin of Digestive Enzymes

Animal

Digestive enzymes of animal origin come from the stomach or pancreas of cows or pigs.

They are not effective throughout the entire digestive process, as they function mostly in the presence of a high pH, that is, in the stomach.

This type of enzyme can break down proteins, thereby aiding in digestion, but is less effective on sugars and fats.

It includes pancreatin, a powder containing a mix of pancreatic enzymes (pepsin, lipase, trypsin…). This pancreatin is used as medication for pancreatic insufficiency treatments. 

Plant-based

Some foods naturally possess digestive enzymes: papaya or pineapple contain proteases (papain and bromelain), bananas and mangoes contain amylase, avocados or apples contain lipases, etc.

They are effective at various pH levels, thereby aiding digestion from the stomach to the intestines. The protein hydrolysis effectiveness is comparable to animal-origin enzymes, but equally weak on sugars and fats.

Microbial 

These enzymes are made from fermented fungal substances (mushrooms). The produced enzymes are then extracted to form a mixture of several enzymes free from microbial residues.

Digestive enzymes of microbial origin can come from fermented food cultures (barley, soy). Fermentation of these compounds promotes the development of microorganisms like the fungus aspergillus.

2. Enzymatic Activity  

An abundant quantity of enzymes does not mean its enzymatic activity is correct. Enzymatic activity is a proportion of the number of active enzymes in a solution.

It is measured in units of enzymatic activity (IU), or by another unit specific to the enzyme.

For example, bromelain has an activity expressed in “GDU” (gelatin digestion units), measuring bromelain’s capacity to break down gelatin, which is protein-rich.

3. Product Composition

You will find dietary supplements containing specific enzyme, such as bromelain.

This enzyme is intended to reduce digestive disorders (but lacks scientific claims) because it has the ability to digest proteins.

There are also formulated enzyme blends, for a synergistic action.

Ensure that the product contains a wide spectrum of digestive enzymes, with at least proteases, lipases, amylase, and lactase.

A blend acts on the entire digestive tract, according to the pH of different organs.

4. Presence of Excipients 

Dietary supplements containing digestive enzymes may contain many excipients from the product’s manufacturing process.

If you suffer from allergies, check that the product does not contain allergens (gluten, soy, milk, peanuts). 

The manufacturing of tablets or powders may involve the presence of preservatives to consider (corn or wheat maltodextrin) or additives like silicon dioxide, a potential source of nanoparticles.

5. Usage Precautions

Fruit-derived enzymes should be used with caution in people with food hypersensitivity (bromelain, papain, kiwi).

As a precautionary principle, these products are not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women, nor in case of medical treatment without medical advice.

Watch out for side effects! Digestive issues may occur, such as constipation or abdominal cramps.

The Best Sources of Digestive Enzymes in Food

Digestive enzymes are naturally found in raw, unprocessed foods, but temperature easily destroys them.

 It is recommended to start meals with fresh and raw foods to boost enzyme intake. Prefer gentle cooking, and chew your food slowly. 

Some foods contain specific digestive enzymes, notably:

• papaya (papain),
• pineapple (bromelain, found in many dietary supplements),
• banana (amylases),
• avocado (lipases). 

Fermented foods also contain them: olives, pickles, capers.  

In summary

To ensure you choose quality digestive enzymes, check:

1. Origin: animal, plant, or microbial
2. Enzymatic activity: it doesn’t depend on the quantity of enzymes but on a proportion of the number of active enzymes in a solution, measured in enzyme activity units (IU), or others
3. Product composition: ensure the product contains a broad spectrum of digestive enzymes, with at least proteases, lipases, amylase, and lactase.
4. Presence of excipients: watch for allergens, preservatives, and additives
5. Usage precautions: for people with food hypersensitivity, pregnant and breastfeeding women, individuals under medication. Seek medical advice.