Why “Healthy” Drinks May Sabotage the Effectiveness of Medicines
As the therapeutic use of plant medicine continues to grow, both patients and healthcare providers are exploring how to optimise the effects. One commonly overlooked factor is how plant medicine interacts with food and beverages, particularly those often labelled as “healthy.”
Many patients, in the pursuit of wellness, combine their medication with nutrient-dense drinks like orange juice, smoothies or detox shots. While this may seem intuitive, pairing a plant-based medicine with plant-based nutrition, this approach can inadvertently compromise therapeutic outcomes.
What Actually Happens?
Rather than enhancing the effect of cannabinoids, these acidic, enzyme-active beverages can:
Reduce cannabinoid absorption
Cause gastrointestinal irritation
Lead to unexpected crashes in energy or mood
Understanding the Science
The key lies in the gut-liver axis, particularly first-pass metabolism, which plays a crucial role in how cannabinoids are absorbed and processed. Citrus fruits (often found in detox drinks and smoothies) can:
Alter gut permeability
Affect enzyme function
Impact liver metabolism of cannabinoids
For instance, grapefruit juice is known to inhibit CYP3A4—an enzyme that helps metabolise many medications. This interference can lead to unpredictable absorption and inconsistent therapeutic effects (Hanley et al., 2020).
Moreover, excessive acidity in the stomach caused by juices and detox blends may disrupt the delicate absorption window required for cannabinoids to exert their effects efficiently (Huestis, 2007).
Minimal Fix
To ensure a consistent and effective response from plant medicine :
Avoid acidic beverages 30–60 minutes before and after plant medicine intake
Opt for neutral alternatives such as filtered water or mild herbal teas (e.g., chamomile, rooibos).
These adjustments can help maintain a stable absorption curve, minimising fluctuations in cannabinoid levels and improving therapeutic predictability.
Sources
Hanley, M.J., Cancalon, P.F., Widmer, W.W. and Greenblatt, D.J., 2020. The effect of grapefruit juice on drug disposition. Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology, 16(7), pp.573–586. https://doi.org/10.1080/17425255.2020.1780601
Huestis, M.A., 2007. Human cannabinoid pharmacokinetics. Chemistry & Biodiversity, 4 (8), pp.1770–1804. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.200790151