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| | | More than 8 million people in the United States take anticoagulants, aka blood thinners. These lifesaving medications are prescribed for a variety of medical conditions, such as atrial fibrillation, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis. | | Warfarin (brand name Jantoven) is a type of blood thinner. And taking it can have certain impacts on your diet. Below, registered dietitian Kirsten Seele explains more. | | | | | | | Listen up,
Ginger Wojcik
Newsletter Editor, Healthline |  | | Written by Ginger Wojcik
October 14, 2025 • 3 min read | | | |  | | | | Q: | Is it OK to eat leafy greens if you take warfarin? | | | A: | You may have read that eating leafy greens will make warfarin less effective. However, the real story is a bit more nuanced than that.
Warfarin inhibits "clotting factors" in the blood by blocking the activation of vitamin K (needed for blood clotting) in your body. The medication requires consistent levels of vitamin K to work properly. Increasing or decreasing the amount of vitamin K-rich foods you normally eat can potentially make warfarin less effective.
So, it's fine (and beneficial) to eat vitamin K foods as long as you keep your intake consistent day to day.
Leafy greens are one of the richest sources of vitamin K. They are also highly nutritious, offering iron, folate, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, and so much more.
For example, 1 cup of raw spinach contains 45 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin K, so you could include 1 cup of raw spinach in your diet daily. Or, you could eat about 145 mcg vitamin K from other foods, such as: - kale
- spinach
- Brussels sprouts
- parsley
- collard greens
- mustard greens
- endive
- cabbage
- lettuce
- chard
If you don't usually consume foods rich in vitamin K on a daily basis and want to increase your intake, be sure to consult with your doctor so they can adjust the dosage accordingly.
If you take an anticoagulant, speak with your doctor or work with a registered dietitian to learn how to incorporate leafy greens and other vitamin K-rich foods into your diet. You can also track your food, supplement, and vitamin intake, as well as monitor your labs to ensure you are on the right track. | | | | | Kirsten Seele, Registered Dietitian | | | Want to learn more about food, diets, cooking, or some other nutrition subject? Let us know at nutritionedition@healthline.com and we'll look into it for you! (Heads up, we may use your response in an upcoming newsletter.) | | |  | | | | The 10 Best Foods for Heart Health | | This video highlights 10 heart-healthy foods that can help reduce cholesterol, lower inflammation, and keep your heart strong for years to come. | | | | | | | | | | | | What we're digesting | | 🩺 What are COPD lung sounds? The noises your lungs make can help your doctor evaluate the state of your airways and whether your treatment is working. | | 🦵 8 exercises to help you prepare for a knee replacement. They can help you strengthen your knee, improve flexibility, and promote recovery. | | 📈 How does eating affect your blood sugar? Important information, whether or not you have diabetes. | | 🧍 How body fat distribution can influence cancer risk. A new study provides insights. | | | |   | | | Until next time, |  | Take care of yourself, and we'll see
you again soon! | | | | |  | | This edition was powered by | | kale!️️ | | | | |
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