Slipping on a patch of ice and falling while putting up Christmas decorations or strings of lights causing fires are just a couple of the dangers associated with Christmas, but now there’s a new health warning attached to the holiday. The FDA has issued a warning about two holiday staples: Brussels sprouts and cranberries. Both contain Vitamin K, which is a chemical the body uses to promote blood clotting. When Brussels sprouts or cranberries are eaten by people who are on blood thinners, the medication is made less effective and increases the chances of bruising or bleeding. Drinking alcohol can also affect the way medications like antibiotics work. Before sipping that “mocktail” containing grapefruit juice, check to make sure you’re not on a medication that could be affected by it. For example, if you’re on a statin to lower cholesterol, grapefruit juice increases the level of the drug in your blood and makes side effects more likely. Some medicines used in the treatment of cancer can also interact negatively with grapefruit juice. As with any medication, always check the warnings associated to make sure that you’re getting the maximum benefit of the drug.
