The combination of medication and food can be harmful.

If you are taking blood thinners, limit your intake of leafy green vegetables and licorice, as these can neutralize the effects of the medication.

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Medicines can help us stay healthy, but if taken incorrectly, they can harm the body. Below are five medicine-food combinations you should avoid, according to Men's Journal.

Grapefruit and statins (fat-lowering drugs)

Eating grapefruit while taking statins can be dangerous. The enzymes in grapefruit juice break down the drug, causing it to accumulate in the liver and small intestine. This increases the drug's concentration in the blood, making side effects like muscle pain more severe. It's best to avoid grapefruit if you're taking statins.

Orange juice and antihistamines are used to treat allergies.

Citrus fruits can interfere with the body's absorption of antihistamines. Orange juice blocks the activity of proteins responsible for transporting the medication throughout the body, rendering the medication ineffective. To still enjoy orange juice while taking medication, drink them separately, for example, orange juice in the morning and medication at night.

Kale, licorice, and blood thinners

Kale, spinach, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts can all lead to health problems if consumed while taking blood thinners like coumadin or warfarin. The vitamin K in these leafy green vegetables is a natural clotting agent that can neutralize the medication. Licorice can also cause similar problems, especially when taken with coumadin. It's best to consult your doctor about foods to avoid if you are taking blood thinners.

Salty foods and blood pressure medication

People taking blood pressure medication should limit their salt intake because eating salty foods can cause blood pressure to rise again and reduce the effectiveness of the medication. If eating canned vegetables, rinse them with clean water to reduce the salt content.

According to Alobacsi.vn