Berries, including strawberries, naturally contain a significant amount of a compound called salicylates. Salicylates are natural blood thinners. For those taking prescription blood thinners, such as Warfarin, you may need to limit your intake of strawberries to avoid bruising and bleeding.
Grapefruit and other citrus fruits can interfere with how your body metabolizes these medications.
All the fruits in the berry-family, including strawberries, cranberries, and blueberries are significant blood thinners. Oranges, tangerines, cherries, raisins, prunes, pineapples, and tomatoes work in the same manner.
When strawberries develop brown spots, they are starting to go bad. Sunken and dark areas on your strawberries are a sign they are getting old. You can still eat them at this stage as long as they don't have any mold. A strawberry should be discarded and not eaten if it is soft and mushy with brown spots.
Risks and precautions. The disadvantage of strawberries is that they may contain pesticide residue. Each year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) produces a list of fruits and vegetables with the highest levels of pesticide residue, known as the “Dirty Dozen.” Strawberries often rank high up on this list.
5 A Day fruit portions
A portion is 2 or more small fruit – for example, 2 plums, 2 satsumas, 2 kiwi fruit, 3 apricots, 6 lychees, 7 strawberries or 14 cherries.
Pomegranate Fruit or Juice - Pomegranate is known as one of the best blood thinning foods found anywhere. Whether you choose the fruit or the juice this food is full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can keep you healthy and your blood thin.
If you have a bleeding disorder, use strawberry with caution. Surgery: Using strawberry in larger amounts might slow blood clotting. There is some concern that it might increase the chance of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using strawberry at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
On the positive side, patients are able to consume many foods considered safe if they are taking any anticoagulants. These are the foods that are considered safe to consume: Meat, fish, and eggs. Milk, cheese, and yogurt.
If you are a heart patient who is taking blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin®), you need to be careful not to overdo vitamin K. Blood thinners are often prescribed for people at risk for developing harmful blood clots. If you suddenly increase your intake of vitamin K, it can have an unintended consequence.
Avoid or drink only small amounts of these when taking warfarin: Cranberry juice. Grapefruit juice.
Foods that affect warfarin
Foods containing a lot of vitamin K can affect how warfarin works. These include: green leafy vegetables, including broccoli, spinach and lettuce.
Avocado has been reported to decrease the effectiveness of warfarin (Coumadin). Decreasing the effectiveness of warfarin (Coumadin) might increase the risk of clotting. It is unclear why this interaction might occur. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly.
Berries: Strawberries and blueberries are rich in antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins. Research has linked anthocyanins to a reduction in blood pressure in people with hypertension. In more good news, berries are delicious!
Acidic and sub-acidic fruits such as grapefruits, strawberries, apples, pomegranates, and peaches, should never be combined with sweet fruits such as bananas and raisins. This is because it often leads to digestive problems, nausea, acidosis, and headaches.
“Strawberries are an ideal snack because not only do they taste great, they're also heart-healthy and an anti-inflammatory food,” says Manuel Villacorta, registered dietitian and author of Flat Belly 365. “I love to pair strawberries with yogurt, peanut butter on rice crackers, or cottage cheese.
Foods rich in vitamin E, such as almonds, avocado, and spinach, can help dissolve blood clots. Vitamin E has anticoagulant properties and can help prevent blood clots from forming. It is recommended to consume foods rich in vitamin E regularly.
Citrus fruit such as oranges, grapefruit, and lemons contain many antioxidants that can lower inflammation, prevent blood clots, and improve blood circulation.
There are some foods that cause the blood to thicken. These include kale, spinach, collard greens, parsley, cauliflower, asparagus, leeks, and celery.
It is recommended that individuals eat a serving of 8 strawberries a day. Clinical research has determined that this recommendation can have some hefty benefits, including potentially improved heart and brain health, reduced risk of some cancers, and better management of type 2 diabetes.
Most of us are accustomed to lobbing off the top of strawberries before eating or baking, but the whole berry — flesh, leaves, stem, and all — is totally edible.
Yes, you can eat 20 strawberries a day. Strawberries are a great source of vitamin C, as well as other essential vitamins and minerals like manganese, folate, and potassium that support your overall health.