Based on PubMed | Do blueberries interact with aspirin and increase bleeding risk due to their natural salicylate content?

Blueberries are unlikely to meaningfully increase bleeding risk when taken with aspirin for most people. While plants naturally contain small amounts of salicylic acid (the same chemical family as aspirin), typical dietary intakes from fruits like blueberries are far below doses that affect platelet function or cause clinically relevant anticoagulation. ^[1] Routine guidance about aspirin-related bleeding risks focuses on medications (e.g., other blood thinners, NSAIDs) and certain herbal supplements, not common fruits consumed as part of a normal diet. ^[2]

What are dietary salicylates?

• Many plant foods naturally contain salicylic acid as part of their defense system, including fruits, juices, tea, wine, and herbs/spices. ^[1]
• Analytical surveys show most fruits including berry fruits do contain measurable salicylates, but amounts vary and are generally low compared with medicinal doses of aspirin. ^[3] The broad range of estimated daily intake from diet (0.4–200 mg/day across different cuisines) reflects variability in food choices and preparation, and it is unclear if typical Western diets provide salicylate amounts large enough to have medicine-like effects. ^[1]

Aspirin and bleeding risk

• Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) reduces blood clotting by inhibiting platelet function and therefore can increase bleeding risk, especially when combined with anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs, NSAIDs, corticosteroids, or certain antidepressants. ^[2] Combining aspirin with other blood-thinning medicines is a well-recognized cause of higher bleeding risk and requires caution. ^{[4] [5]}
• The degree of aspirin’s antiplatelet effect depends on the dose, formulation, and interactions with other pharmacologic agents; food presence mainly affects absorption kinetics rather than total salicylate exposure from aspirin itself. ^[6]

Do blueberries interact with aspirin?

• There is no established clinical evidence that eating blueberries at normal food quantities meaningfully amplifies aspirin’s antiplatelet effect or bleeding risk. ^[1] Large pharmacology and patient-facing guidance around aspirin interactions does not list common fruits like blueberries as a concern; interactions highlighted are with certain medicines and specific herbal/dietary supplements with stronger effects. ^[2]
• In vitro and in vivo evaluations of berry supplements show weak inhibitory effects on certain drug-metabolizing enzymes (UGT family), and co-administration of blueberry did not change the pharmacokinetics of a UGT1A1-cleared drug (irinotecan) in vivo, suggesting low potential for clinically significant herb–drug interactions from blueberry alone. ^[7]
• An anecdotal case described a polymedicated individual using multiple natural products (including blueberry extract and ginger) where some combination appeared to potentiate aspirin effects; stopping several supplements improved the situation. ^[8] This suggests that concentrated extracts and multi-supplement regimens rather than typical food intake could contribute to additive effects.

Practical considerations

• Normal dietary intake: Eating blueberries as part of a balanced diet is generally considered safe alongside low-dose aspirin, and is unlikely to raise bleeding risk in a clinically meaningful way. ^[1]
• Concentrated products: High-dose blueberry extracts or multi-ingredient supplements could, in theory, add minor effects, especially when combined with other products known to affect bleeding (e.g., ginger), and caution is reasonable in those scenarios. ^[8]
• Individual variability: People with additional risk factors such as taking multiple blood thinners, having a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, or being malnourished should be more cautious and discuss supplement use and very high intake of salicylate-rich foods with their clinician. ^{[2] [9]}

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Summary table: Dietary salicylates vs aspirin

Item	Typical content/effect	Clinical relevance with aspirin
Blueberries (food amounts)	Contain small amounts of natural salicylates common to fruits; amounts vary and are generally low. [3] [1]	Unlikely to meaningfully increase bleeding risk when eaten normally. [1]
Blueberry extracts (supplements)	Concentrated polyphenols; weak enzyme inhibition observed; limited clinical interaction data. [7]	Low likelihood overall, but caution if combined with multiple supplements affecting coagulation. [8]
Aspirin (medicinal)	Established antiplatelet; increases bleeding risk. [2]	Risk rises with anticoagulants, antiplatelets, NSAIDs, corticosteroids, some antidepressants. [2] [4] [5]

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Bottom line

• For most people, eating blueberries does not appear to interact with aspirin in a way that significantly increases bleeding risk. ^[1]
• Be careful with concentrated berry extracts and multi-supplement regimens, especially if you are also on other blood-thinning or platelet-affecting medicines. ^{[2] [8]}
• If you have a personal history of bleeding or take multiple anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs, review all supplements and dietary patterns with your clinician. ^[2]