Blood thinners prevent blood clots from forming in order to lower your risk of a heart attack, stroke and other serious problems, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality or AHRQ. Many foods can interfere with some blood thinners but present no side effects with others. You should consult your doctor or pharmacist for a list of food interactions with the particular medication you are taking.
Vitamin K
High amounts of vitamin K can make some blood thinners, like warfarin, less effective, according to the AHRQ. Vitamin K is common in many healthy vegetables like leafy greens, which are essential to a healthy diet. But it's a good idea not to eat large amounts of these vitamin K rich foods: asparagus, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, endive, green onions, green tea, kale, lettuce, turnip greens, chard, collard greens, mustard greens and parsley. Some vegetable oils are also high in vitamin K, including soybean oil and canola oil.
Cranberries
Cranberries may interfere with some blood thinners, according to AHRQ. They may increase the risk of bleeding by making the blood thinner than usual. Ask your doctor whether you should avoid cranberries, cranberry juice and other products that contain cranberries.
Other Diet Issues
Avoid alcohol if you are on blood thinners as it can increase the effectiveness of the drug and raise your risk of bleeding, according to MayoClinic.com. Ask your doctor is it's ok to eat licorice with your particular blood thinner. Also, be sure to tell your doctor about any nutritional supplements you may be taking as they can also interfere with some blood thinners.
