Based on PubMed | Is it safe to eat blueberries after taking Naproxen, or could they interact with the medication or affect its absorption?

Blueberries are generally safe to eat with naproxen, and current evidence does not show a clinically meaningful interaction that would reduce naproxen’s effectiveness or increase its risk when blueberries are consumed in typical amounts.

What we know about food and NSAIDs

• For many immediate‑release pain relievers in the NSAID class, food tends to slow down how quickly the medicine reaches peak levels in the blood (delays tmax) and may lower the peak concentration (reduces Cmax), but it does not meaningfully change the overall amount absorbed (bioavailability). ^[1] This means taking NSAIDs with food can modestly delay onset of pain relief, but the total absorbed dose is usually similar. ^[1]

Naproxen and berry polyphenols

• Blueberries contain polyphenols (like anthocyanins), which are absorbed to a limited extent and are largely metabolized and cleared within hours. ^[2] Their bioavailability is modest and they are further broken down during digestion and by gut bacteria. ^[3]
• Human studies using blueberry juice showed no significant effect on the clearance of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9 (for example, flurbiprofen, another NSAID), suggesting blueberry polyphenols do not cause a meaningful pharmacokinetic interaction via this pathway. ^[4] In that same research, blueberry juice did not significantly alter the exposure to a CYP2C9 substrate, supporting low interaction risk. ^[4]
• Even when certain fruit juices or extracts inhibit drug‑metabolizing enzymes in lab tests, human studies have repeatedly shown no significant impact on NSAID clearance, indicating minimal real‑world interaction risk from dietary polyphenols at typical intake levels. ^[5] This divergence between in‑vitro and in‑vivo findings supports the conclusion that routine consumption of polyphenol‑rich foods like blueberries is unlikely to change NSAID pharmacokinetics in a clinically relevant way. ^[5]

Practical guidance for eating blueberries with naproxen

• You can eat blueberries with naproxen without expecting a harmful interaction or a significant reduction in total naproxen absorption. ^{[4] [5]}
• If rapid pain relief is important, taking naproxen on an empty stomach may help it act sooner, because food in general can delay peak levels. ^[1] If you are sensitive to stomach upset, taking naproxen with food is reasonable, accepting that onset of relief may be slightly slower. ^[1]
• Typical serving sizes of blueberries (for example, a handful or a small bowl) are considered low risk for interaction with naproxen. ^[4] Larger amounts still appear unlikely to cause clinically important changes based on human data with similar polyphenol‑rich juices. ^[5]

Safety considerations beyond interactions

• NSAIDs, including naproxen, can irritate the stomach lining and increase the risk of ulcers and bleeding, especially with higher doses, longer use, alcohol use, older age, and certain other medicines (like SSRIs/SNRIs, anticoagulants, and corticosteroids). ^[6] Using the lowest effective dose for the shortest time is recommended to reduce these risks. ^[6]
• There is no official guidance warning against blueberries (or common berries) with NSAIDs; general advice focuses on monitoring for interactions with certain medicines and maintaining safe NSAID use practices. ^[7]

Bottom line

• Based on human pharmacokinetic studies and what we know about berry polyphenols, blueberries do not appear to meaningfully interact with naproxen or reduce its overall absorption, and they can be consumed as part of a normal diet when taking naproxen. ^{[4] [1] [5]} If you prefer less stomach irritation, taking naproxen with food (including blueberries) is reasonable, while noting that onset of relief might be slightly delayed. ^[1]