Blueberries(Cyanococcus) are delicious blue-colored berries that grow on the shrub of the same name and belong to the genus Vaccinium. These delicious berries are native to South America but are now grown in many parts of the world. Blueberries are a good source of several vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, flavonoids, dietary fibers, phytochemicals, etc. and the presence of these compounds makes them very beneficial for our health as well as for our skin and hair. Although blueberries are a safe fruit and provide a lot of benefits there are some side effects of eating too many blueberries and in this article, we will know about these side effects in detail.
Side Effects OF Eating Too Many Blueberries
(1) Too Much Fiber Is Bad For Our Health
Blueberries are a good source of dietary fiber that provides a lot of benefits like regulating bowel movement, providing relief from constipation, keeping the digestive system healthy, absorbing bad cholesterol, keeping the cardiovascular system healthy, helping in weight management, and many more benefits. The presence of dietary fibers in blueberries makes it very beneficial for our health but having too much fiber is bad for our health.
Excess of dietary fiber can cause stomach discomfort, and gastrointestinal problems like bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, etc. It can also hamper the absorption of nutrients by our intestines and give rise to many health problems. Because of this risk associated with high fiber, it is advisable to eat blueberries in moderate quantities.
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(2) Can Cause Salicylate Sensitivity In Some Individuals
Blueberries contain a high amount of salicylates, which is an active ingredient used in the formation of aspirin ( a synthesized medicine used for providing relief from pain, fever, inflammation, etc.). This compound is naturally found in many plants and provides a lot of benefits, but not for individuals who are sensitive to salicylates.
Individuals who are allergic to salicylates should stay away from blueberries ( which contains them in high amount) as they might cause rashes, headaches, and gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. So those who are allergic to salicylates should avoid consuming blueberries or blueberry juice.
It is interesting to note that pain and discomfort associated with salicylate ingestion can be eased to some extent by eating blueberries in small amounts. However, it is better not to take a risk and avoid blueberries in the first place ( in case of salicylate allergy )
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(3) Side Effect Of Vitamin K Overdose
Blueberries are a good source of Vitamin K and eating one cup of blueberries provides around 29 micrograms of Vitamin K. Vitamin K is a vital nutrient that plays an important role in keeping us healthy and performing several functions in our body, like regulating blood clotting, improving bone density and making our bones stronger, reducing the risk of cancer, providing cardiovascular benefits, etc (source).
Although Vitamin K provides a lot of benefits there are some side effects associated with the intake of high dosages of Vitamin K and for this reason, it is advisable to eat blueberries in moderation.
High dosages of Vitamin K may give rise to symptoms like difficulty in swallowing, irregular breathing, fainting, shortness of breath, skin rashes, increased risk of internal bleeding and bruising, etc (source). Blueberries are also not suitable for individuals who are on anticoagulant medicines as the Vitamin K present in blueberries may interfere with the function of anticoagulant medicine and increase the risk of bleeding.
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(4) Blueberry Leaves May Cause Hypoglycemia
If you are suffering from diabetes then it is advisable not to use blueberry leaves as a supplement to diabetics medicine. This is because consuming blueberries leaves can decrease our blood sugar level to a dangerously low level which can give rise to hypoglycemia which can be identified by the common symptoms like blurred vision, sudden mood change, sudden nervousness, pale skin, headache, hunger, sweating, shaking, trouble thinking or concentrating, loss of consciousness, etc. (source).
Moderate consumption of blueberries is beneficial for people suffering from diabetes as it releases sugar slowly into the bloodstream and doesn’t cause a sudden increase in the blood sugar level. But, consuming too many blueberries is bad as it can also decrease our blood sugar level to a dangerously low level. If you are suffering from diabetes then it is better to first consult your doctor and eat blueberries as per the advice of the doctor.
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(5) Not Suitable For Individuals With Stone Fruits Allergy
Generally speaking, there are not many allergenic factors associated with blueberries and blueberries are well tolerated by most individuals. This means that most individuals can consume it without worrying about allergic reactions. However, those who are allergic to stone fruits ( like peaches, plums, apricots, cherries, nectarines, etc) may be sensitive to blueberries too.
(6) Too Many Blueberries Is Unsafe For Pregnant Women
Blueberry is a good source of several vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, flavonoids, phytochemicals, etc. and the presence of these compounds makes blueberries very beneficial for pregnant women. In general, blueberries are a safe fruit to be consumed during pregnancy but for the safe side, it is advisable to consult your doctor about the same and eat blueberries only as per the recommendation of the doctor.
The food and drink consumed by a pregnant mother play an important role in determining the proper growth and development of the baby growing under her ( and even for her health ) and for this reason, it becomes important to consult with your doctor before adding (or removing) anything to your food plate.
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(7) Too Many Blueberries Is Unsafe For Nursing Mothers
Moderate consumption of blueberries is safe and beneficial for pregnant mothers but the high consumption of blueberries must be avoided. This is because blueberries are a good source of several vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals, flavonoids, carotenoids, etc. and the presence of these compounds makes them very beneficial for our health. but, too much of some of these compounds ( Like Vitamin K, potassium, dietary fiber, etc) is bad for our health and there are some side effects associated with it.
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(8) Blueberries And Surgery
Blueberries contain a high amount of salicylates which act as a natural blood thinner. In addition to this, the Vitamin K present in blueberries dissolves the blood clot. Because of these properties of blueberries, they are not suitable for individuals who are scheduled to go under the knife.
It is advisable to stop consuming blueberries at least two weeks before the scheduled surgery as otherwise, it may take surgical wounds a very long time to heal ( because of the blood-thinning properties of blueberries).
Another reason to stop eating blueberries weeks before surgery is because of the ability of blueberries to affect our blood glucose level and interfere control of blood sugar after and during the surgery.
Disclaimer
The information contained in the post is for general purposes only and shouldn’t be considered medical advice or as an alternative to medical advice. Although I’ve tried my best to keep the information contained in this post as accurate and updated as possible, I make no guarantee of the accuracy of the same.
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