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Statement on Warfarin Use and Cranberry
Consumption The Cranberry Institute takes this potential concern very seriously. The Cranberry Institute investigated the likelihood of a cranberry and warfarin interaction with experts in the fields of hematology, cardiology and pharmacology at centers of excellence in the United States and abroad. These experts informed us that, each of the cases can be explained by mechanisms other than interactions and to date, no interactions of cranberry with warfarin, or any other medication, have been found. “In the cases cited in the UK, the reactions in those warfarin patients most likely were related to cranberry juice only by coincidence,” stated David Greenblatt, Ph.D., Chief of Clinical Pharmacology at Tufts University, Boston. “There is no evidence to indicate that any component of cranberry juice has any effect on either the body’s clotting mechanisms themselves or warfarin’s metabolism and anti-clotting actions.” Warfarin drugs are well documented as highly interactive with many other medical drugs and a multitude of foods and beverages. The Comprehensive Guide to Warfarin Therapy, jointly issued by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology in April 2003, identifies a large variety of drugs and even herbal medicines as capable of modifying the body’s response to warfarin. It also warns that fluctuating levels of dietary vitamin K, (found commonly in green leafy vegetables and necessary for proper blood clotting), may affect the proper dosing of warfarin. Cranberries, like many other foods, are not a good source of Vitamin K. Dr. Greenblatt also noted, “Introducing any new food or beverage into the diet of a warfarin patient may alter the balance of vitamin K in the body, thereby affecting the body’s response to warfarin. Therefore, patients should not alter their diets without first consulting their physicians.” Maintaining consistency of diet and other behaviors promotes warfarin’s effective use. Warfarin is a highly potent drug, and the diets of warfarin patients must be monitored and regulated meticulously. Therefore, the Cranberry Institute encourages patients concerned about potential warfarin interactions to consult their physicians before making any changes to their drug regimens or their diet. To provide some context, scientific research points to a number of health benefits associated with cranberry consumption. Three well-controlled clinical studies, published in major medical journals, have shown that consumption of cranberry products on a regular basis significantly reduced bacteria in the urinary tract and reduced recurrence of urinary tract infections. Cranberries are also rich in antioxidants, which are increasingly associated with a variety of important health and wellness benefits, such as protection against heart disease and anti-aging. Cranberries offer a nutritious choice for the health conscious consumer. The public can enjoy cranberries in a variety of widely available forms, including fresh and frozen cranberries, cranberry juice, cranberry sauce, and sweetened, dried cranberries. The Cranberry Institute intends to fully monitor emerging reports and support research on warfarin interactions and other issues relating to cranberry consumption, for the safety and health of consumers. # # # The Cranberry Institute is a not-for-profit organization dedicated
to supporting research and increasing awareness about the health
benefits of cranberry. Since 1951, the Institute has funded research
that focuses on the health and medical benefits of cranberry
in addition to topics related to agriculture and environmental
stewardship. |