{"id":632693,"date":"2025-07-14T09:30:43","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T13:30:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=632693"},"modified":"2026-02-19T19:58:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T00:58:19","slug":"blood-clotting-foods-to-avoid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/blood-clotting-foods-to-avoid\/","title":{"rendered":"What not to eat if you\u2019re at risk for blood clots"},"content":{"rendered":"

Blood clotting may sound scary, but it\u2019s a normal and essential bodily function. It serves an important purpose, which is to stop bleeding when blood vessels are damaged. If a damaged blood vessel doesn’t heal, it can cause excessive bleeding, which can be serious.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, blood clots can form abnormally, and those can be serious, too. Blood clots occur when cells in the blood clump together and form a mass, which can even travel to other parts of the body and cause harm. There are many possible causes and risk factors of abnormal blood clot formation, such as injury, certain medical conditions, genetic predisposition, medications, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re at increased risk of blood clots or take <\/span>blood-thinning medications<\/span><\/a>, your healthcare provider may recommend making some lifestyle changes. Certain dietary choices may contribute to overall blood clot risk or interact with blood thinners. Foods to avoid for blood clotting typically include those that are processed and high in sodium, sugar, and saturated and trans fats. Those taking certain blood-thinning medications may also be advised to monitor their vitamin K intake and avoid certain fruits, fruit juices, and alcohol.<\/span><\/p>\n

7 foods that increase the risk of blood clots<\/span><\/h2>\n

Certain foods don\u2019t directly cause blood clots, but your diet is still an important factor in reducing your overall risk. Certain foods may also interact with anticoagulants, blood-thinning medications used to prevent clots. Foods to avoid for those at increased risk of blood clots typically include the following.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Ultra-processed foods<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cHighly processed foods can cause inflammation in the body, which can lead to conditions that promote blood clots,\u201d says <\/span>Hugh Pabarue, MD<\/span><\/a>, a vein specialist in the larger Detroit metropolitan area. <\/span>Studies<\/span><\/a> show that intake of ultra-processed foods moderately increases the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), a blood clot that can create a blockage in the veins.<\/span><\/p>\n

How do you know if a food is ultra-processed? Many foods at the supermarket are highly processed, Dr. Pabarue says. This helps it last longer on the shelves, but they\u2019re also engineered to taste better. They tend to come in excess packaging, though a long list of ingredients that are difficult to pronounce is also a tell-tale sign, Dr. Pabarue says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Examples of ultra-processed foods include:<\/span><\/p>\n