If you’ve ever had herpes, you know how awful it can be.
You’re not alone: one in six people in the U.S. has genital herpes, and one in eight people have cold sores around the mouth.
But there’s good news! There are three fruits that kill herpes—meaning they can prevent outbreaks and even cure them if you take them consistently.
We’re talking about acai berries, goji berries, and mangosteen. These fruits are rich in antioxidants, which help fight off infection and boost your immune system. They also contain compounds called anthocyanins that help repair damaged tissues in your body, including those affected by herpes.
You know your body is a temple. It’s time to treat it like one.
You can’t always avoid the things that make you sick, but you can fight back by eating the right foods. The three fruits below have been proven to kill herpes, so eat up!
- Bananas
The potassium in bananas helps fight off the symptoms of herpes by keeping your immune system strong and healthy. Plus, they’re delicious on their own or in smoothies!
- Strawberries
Like bananas, strawberries contain high levels of vitamin C, which helps strengthen your immune system and fight off infection. They also taste great when combined with other fruits—like bananas!
- Oranges
Oranges aren’t just good for getting rid of scurvy; they’re also a powerful weapon against herpes. Their vitamin C content boosts your immune system’s ability to fight off colds and other infections like herpes, making them one of the best fruits for fighting off this disease!
And guess what? They’re delicious! You can use them to make fruit smoothies or just snack on them all day long!
Best 10 Foods for Combatting Herpes
A healthy diet is crucial for coping with herpes simplex virus (HSV). Whether you are infected with oral herpes (HSV-1) or genital herpes (HSV-2), you should know what foods to consume in order to manage and overcome the symptoms, and to boost your immune system. Wherein when your immunity weakens, herpes tends to break out and spread. Therefore, let us get to know the best 10 foods for combatting herpes.
HSV – Herpes Simplex virus Package
Foods for Combatting Herpes Simplex Virus
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates help relieve and limit the spread of herpes virus by stopping the virus’s replication and boosting the cell immunity. Moreover, they reduce the severity and frequency of herpes outbreaks, and they include the following:
- Whole grains, such as amaranth grain, buckwheat, and quinoa, which is an excellent source of zinc and iron.
- Sweet potato is also a source of beta-carotene and vitamin A.
Good Fats
Good fats reduce the duration of herpes outbreaks and speed up its relief. Moreover, unsaturated fats and omega-3 lessen the inflammation and pain associated with the virus. And they include the following:
- Coconut oil, avocado, olive oil, olive, dairy products, and cheese.
- Salmon, other fatty fish, butter, and cream.
Proteins
Proteins are proven effective in controlling herpes outbreaks since they significantly enhance the immune system. And they include the following:
- Lean meat, such as beef and chicken.
Vitamin C
This vitamin helps speed up the relief of herpes blisters and cold sores, and it strengthens that immune system. The recommended daily dose of vitamin C is 10.000 milligrams for relieving herpes outbreaks, and 500-3000 milligrams to protect against them. The following foods some of the best sources of vitamin C:
- Citruses, broccoli, strawberry, melon, bell pepper, kiwi, and tomato.
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 contributes to boosting the immune system and protecting against the recurrence of herpes outbreaks in the future. The recommended daily dose of vitamin D3 is 2000-4000 international units. Sources of vitamin D3 include the following:
- Salmon, eggs, cheese, and cow liver.
Probiotics
Probiotics help restore gut flora, which contributes to strengthening the immune system. Sources of probiotics include the following:
- Fermented foods, such as pickled cabbage and kimchi.
- Full-fat, low-sugar, and low-cheese yogurt.
Lysine
Lysine contains antiviral properties; therefore, it stops and relieves herpes outbreaks. The recommended daily dose is 1000 milligrams, 3 times a day. And some of its best sources are as follows:
- Parmesan cheese and eggs.
- Legumes.
- Lean meat
The story of Mr. Nader who overcame genital herpes
Zinc
Zinc helps control the replication of herpes virus. Furthermore, it reduces its severity and frequency in the future. Sources of zinc include the following:
- Quinoa, whole grains, amaranth grains, and buckwheat.
- Oysters, chicken, beef, turkey, lean red meat.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A maintains the integrity of the immune system. Best sources of vitamin A are:
- Cow liver.
- Sweet potato, bell pepper, spinach, and carrot.
Vitamin E
This vitamin is useful in creams and ointments since it alleviates herpes blisters and cold sores. One should apply it 4 times a day in order to control herpes outbreaks. Best vitamin E sources are:
- Wheat germ oil, and olive oil.
- Spinach.
Herpes virus, even known as cold sores, is a tiny virus that affects a lot of people. It caused by HSV-1 virus (Herpes Simplex Virus -1) and is transmitted from person to another very easily. The herpes virus can live inactive within a person’s immune system for a lifetime, causing periodically wounds or ulcers. When there is no treatment, symptoms of herpes usually last for 10-14 days, causing redness, pain and burning sensation. By boosting the immune system through a healthy diet, changing the lifestyle you can help keep the virus inactive.
Diet and herpes
Herpes usually makes its appearance when people experience a period of increased anxiety, when they do not eat well, or even when there is a weak immune system. The first step to fight cold sores is to improve the functioning of the immune system by increasing nutrient intake.
Foods and substances in the treatment of herpes
Foods rich in L-lysine
Lysine is an amino acid that can prevent the reproduction of herpes virus. It can help treat and prevent herpes. Good food sources of lysine are legumes (beans and lentils), fish (cod and sardines), red and white meat (chicken or turkey), parmesan and some vegetables. People who are prone to herpes can for a short time take L-lysine supplements 1,000mg three times a day.
Antioxidants
Colorful red, orange and green vegetables contain antioxidants such as carotenoids, bioflavonoids and vitamin C that help heal wounds on the skin, while also strengthening the body’s immune system. Vitamin C enhances immune function by improving and reducing the duration of herpes symptoms. Since vitamin C intake through diet is insufficient, vitamin C supplementation of 1,000 mg per day is recommended.
Propolis
It is a natural substance produced by bees. Propolis is rich in antioxidants and is one of the most powerful antimicrobial elements of nature. It reduces pain and time of wound healing, compared to classical antiviral ointments, while creating a layer of lip protection. Beware of allergies.
Zinc
Zinc takes part in many chemical reactions involving wound healing, skin repair and defense mechanisms from viruses or infections. It is a very important micronutrient, as it helps keep herpes virus inactive. Rich sources of zinc are meat (liver or beef), pumpkin seeds, nuts and various vegetables such as spinach. In addition, you can take 30 mg zinc supplement twice a day.
Foods that can aggravate herpes
Certain foods can cause inflammation, weaken the body’s immune defense system and further aggravate skin irritation. Avoid as much as possible the following foods to reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.
Foods rich in L-arginine
Arginine is an amino acid with opposite action (antagonistic) from lysine. In particular, arginine is essential for the reproduction of the virus. It is recommended in periods of high intensity and anxiety to reduce the consumption of foods rich in L-arginine, such as wheat, oat, nuts (peanuts, nuts, hazelnuts), pumpkin seeds, chocolate and spirulina. Attention to supplements for athletes, as they are often good sources of arginine.
Sugar
High consumption of sugar suppresses immune function and can aggravate inflammation. Caution is needed as sugar is usually “hidden” in various foods we consume every day, such as bottled drinks, packaged snacks as well as products such as yogurt, cereals, biscuits, granola and muesli.
Alcohol
High amounts of alcohol suppress immune function and can aggravate symptoms such as fatigue, pain and inflammation of the skin.