Foods that Speed Up the Healing of Cold Sores

Eating healthy, immune-boosting foods can help to stop cold sores.
Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images

Cold sores go by many names, including fever blisters and herpes. They are caused by type 1 or type 2 herpes simplex virus, and approximately 40 to 85 percent of Americans have had a cold sore at some point, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

Advertisement

Foods that speed up the healing of cold sores work by boosting the immune system and stopping the replication, or spread, of the dormant herpes virus. Herpes-Coldsores.com encourages a healthy, well-balanced diet to assist the body in repairing itself during cold sore outbreaks.

Video of the Day

L-lysine

Cheese is rich in L-lysine, a substance known to stop cold sores.
Image Credit: Fuse/Fuse/Getty Images

Fruits, vegetables and some proteins contain an amino acid called L-lysine. This amino acid works to inhibit the effects of L-arginine, an acid required by the herpes virus to replicate, according to Herpes-Coldsores.com. Such dairy products as milk and cheese, eggs, chicken, fruits and fish have naturally occurring L-lysine and should be eaten during a herpes outbreak, according to Herpes-Coldsores.com. Choosing the foods highest in L-lysine content will stop the herpes virus, such as yogurt, with 706mg of L-lysine, or pork ribs, with 4,730 milligrams, according to Herpes-Coldsores.com.

Advertisement

Immune Boosters

The vitamin C in a green, leafy salad can help get rid of cold sores faster.
Image Credit: Jacek Chabraszewski/iStock/Getty Images

In their whole, raw form, fresh fruits and vegetables provide the body with vitamins and nutrients necessary to heal. Herpes-Coldsores.com encourages eating mangoes, apricots and beets to heal the cold sores. Oranges, dark green leafy veggies and green peppers are rich with the vitamin C antioxidant, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Vitamin C assists in skin and wound healing, which can decrease the healing time needed to remove any trace of that cold sore.

Advertisement

Alkalinity

Fruits high in alkaline such as grapes and pineapple can slow the spread of cold sores.
Image Credit: Wavebreakmedia Ltd/Wavebreak Media/Getty Images

The body's acid and alkaline balance is affected by dietary choices. Herpes-Coldsores.com says that a diet high in alkaline foods may assist cold sores in healing and stop the replication of the herpes virus. Avoid highly acidic foods, such as chocolate and sodas, and replace them with alkaline foods like grapes, kiwi, pineapple and lemons daily. Herpes-Coldsores.com encourages drinking an 8 ounce glass of water with a squeeze of fresh lemon during herpes outbreaks to provide alkalinity and to counteract any acidic foods that were ingested that day.

Advertisement

Advertisement

references

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

Report an Issue

screenshot of the current page

Screenshot loading...