Nutrition

Cauliflower: Any Common Food-Drug Interactions?

July 2022

| by

Dina A. Beck

We’ve heard of prescription drug interactions (with other drugs), but did you know there are food-drug interactions too? Particular combinations can affect both the efficacy (doing what it’s supposed to) and side effects of the medication, as well as how the body metabolizes the food. Some common food-drug interactions include*:

Food

Drug Type

Effect in Combination

1. Vitamin K (green, leafy vegetables)

Aspirins, warfarin

Decreased effectiveness in how well the drug thins the blood

2. Grapefruit juice

Statins, calcium channel blockers, erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs, chemotherapies, immune-suppressing drugs, allergy medications

Greater side effects; fluctuating levels of medication in the body

3. Dairy

Antibiotics

Decreased effectiveness in how the drug is absorbed.

4. Alcohol

Insulin/oral diabetic pills

Acetaminophen
Antihistamines

Lower blood sugar

Chance of severe liver damage

Increased drowsiness

5. Amino acid: tyramine (smoked/cured meats, beer/ wine, fermented foods, soy products, very ripe bananas, chocolate, aged cheeses)

MAOIs

Sudden, dangerous increase in blood pressure

6. Potassium (bananas, avocados, tomatoes, dried apricots, potatoes, spinach, white beans)

ACE inhibitors

Heart arrhythmias

7. High-fiber foods (soybean flour, walnuts

Levothyroxine & Digoxin

Decreased effectiveness

8. Mayonnaise & canola/ soybean/olive oils

Warfarin

Decreased effectiveness

9. Protein (mean & fish)

Dopamine promoters

Decreased absorption

10. St. John’s wort (herbal teas, supplements)

Statins, ED drugs, digoxin

Decreased effectiveness

11. Caffeine

Drugs that stimulate the central nervous system (like amphetamines & modafinils)

Amplified effectiveness

This recipe should be safe for most: Kung Pao Cauliflower*

*Not an exhaustive list; always consult your physician with questions related to your specific health condition(s).

Sources: Blanchard Valley Health Systems; AARP Health; U.S. News Health

Dina A. Beck

Social Deputy. Volunteer.

Promoter of all things just. Child advocate. Award winner. Dina is the co-founder of HealthDiscovery.org and a committed member of the Gloucester County Women’s Club. She currently serves as Director of Marketing and CARES Program at Corporate Synergies and also retains her real estate license in NJ. With a passion for community engagement and advocacy, Dina is a retired foster parent, dedicated to supporting children’s rights and well-being. Her work continues to reflect her commitment to mentoring and making a positive difference in the lives of others.