Aspirin is a common over-the-counter medication that is widely used to relieve symptoms such as headaches, fever, and joint pain. However, there are some food contraindications that need to be taken into account when using aspirin to avoid adverse effects or weaken the drug's effectiveness. Below I will introduce several foods that interact with aspirin.
First of all, citrus fruits are one of the foods that interact with aspirin. Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, which can increase the rate of absorption of aspirin. Therefore, if a large amount of citrus fruits is consumed before or after taking aspirin, it may cause the concentration of the drug in the body to be too high, increasing the risk of adverse reactions. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid a high intake of citrus fruits while taking aspirin.
Secondly, alcohol is also one of the foods that interact with aspirin. Alcohol can increase the fragility of the gastric mucosa, while aspirin can cause damage to the gastric mucosa. As a result, drinking alcohol and taking aspirin at the same time may lead to an increased risk of stomach bleeding or ulcers. To avoid this, it is advisable to avoid alcohol as much as possible while taking aspirin to protect the health of the gastric mucosa.
In addition, coffee and tea are also among the foods that interact with aspirin. Coffee and tea contain ingredients such as caffeine and theophylline, which can increase the rate at which aspirin is metabolized, thereby weakening the drug's effectiveness. Therefore, if you drink a lot of coffee or tea before or after taking aspirin, it may reduce the effectiveness of the drug. To ensure the effectiveness of aspirin, it is advisable to reduce the intake of coffee and tea while taking the medication.
Finally, certain salicylic acid-rich foods should also be avoided along with aspirin. Salicylic acid is the main ingredient in aspirin, but it is also found in some foods, such as willow bark, poplar bark, and cranberries. If these salicylic acid-rich foods are ingested before or after taking aspirin, they may increase the drug's effectiveness or weaken it. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid these foods while taking aspirin to ensure the efficacy and safety of the drug.
To sum up, aspirin is a commonly used drug, but it is important to be aware of interactions with citrus fruits, alcohol, coffee, tea, and salicylic acid-rich foods when using it. Avoiding concomitant intake of these foods can reduce the risk of adverse reactions and ensure the efficacy and safety of the drug. Before using aspirin, it is best to consult the advice of a doctor or pharmacist to learn more about food contraindications.