Blueberries and Aspirin: What You Need to Know

Most people can safely eat normal food portions of blueberries while taking aspirin. However, there are some cautions: high-dose berry extracts (like blueberry or bilberry supplements) and certain herbal products may increase bleeding risk when combined with aspirin, so they’re best avoided unless your clinician says otherwise. Some official guidance also lists “bilberry” among supplements that can raise bleeding risk with aspirin. ^{[1] [2]}

Quick answer

• Eating blueberries as part of a regular diet is generally considered low risk with aspirin. ^{[1] [2]}
• Avoid or be cautious with concentrated berry extracts (blueberry or bilberry capsules/liquids), especially if you have a bleeding history or take other blood thinners. ^{[1] [2]}
• One published case noted that a combination including blueberry extract, ginger, and other products appeared to potentiate aspirin’s effects; stopping the blueberry and ginger extracts improved the situation. ^{[3] [4]}

Why supplements are different from food

Blueberries contain polyphenols (like anthocyanins) that can have mild antiplatelet effects in high concentrations. In typical food amounts, the effect appears small, but concentrated extracts can deliver many times the amount found in a serving of fruit, which may add to aspirin’s antiplatelet action and increase bleeding tendency in some people. Guidance for daily aspirin cautions against certain herbal/dietary supplements that increase bleeding risk, explicitly listing bilberry (a close relative often used in extract form). ^{[1] [2]}

A reported clinical scenario in a heavily supplemented individual suggested that blueberry and ginger extracts, along with other products, contributed to potentiation of aspirin; discontinuing these reduced the issue. This does not prove blueberries alone cause a problem, but it supports caution with extracts. ^{[3] [4]}

When to be more careful

You may need stricter limits or individualized advice if you:

• Use additional antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs (for example, clopidogrel, warfarin, heparin, or combination aspirin products), as combined therapies raise bleeding risk. ^{[5] [6] [7]}
• Have a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, peptic ulcer disease, bleeding disorders, or are scheduled for surgery or dental procedures soon. ^{[8] [9]}
• Take other herbs/supplements known to increase bleeding risk with aspirin (for example, ginkgo, evening primrose oil, kava, high-dose omega-3 fish oil), which are highlighted in official guidance. ^[2]

Practical guidance

• Normal portions of whole blueberries (for example, ½–1 cup as part of meals) are generally fine for most people on aspirin. There is no strong evidence that typical dietary amounts of blueberries meaningfully increase bleeding risk with aspirin. ^{[1] [2]}
• Avoid high-dose blueberry or bilberry extracts unless your clinician advises them; if you already take them, consider discussing dose reduction or discontinuation. Bilberry supplements are specifically listed as increasing bleeding risk with aspirin in consumer guidance. ^{[1] [2]}
• Watch for signs of excess bleeding: easy bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, black/tarry stools, vomiting blood, or unusual prolonged bleeding from cuts. Seek care promptly if these occur. ^{[8] [9]}
• If you drink alcohol, keep it moderate, as alcohol plus aspirin can raise stomach bleeding risk. ^[2]

Bottom line

Blueberries as food are typically safe with aspirin, but concentrated berry extracts (blueberry/bilberry) may meaningfully add to bleeding risk and are best avoided without medical oversight. If you also take other blood thinners or have bleeding risks, get personalized advice before using any berry extracts or additional supplements. ^{[1] [2] [5] [6] [7]}