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Foods for Cold Sore Symptoms

Nov 6, 2010 | By Heather Gloria

Cold sores result from infection with the herpes simplex virus. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, one of the National Institutes of Health, estimates that 500,000 Americans contract the virus each year. Of these, NIDCR believes that 60 to 80 percent experience just one bout of cold sores and many do not even recognize them, mistaking them for other skin problems like pimples or razor burn. The unfortunate remainder experience recurrent outbreaks of unattractive, painful cold sores. While diet does not replace conventional medical treatment for cold sores or any other condition, eating certain foods during an outbreak may alleviate symptoms.

Coffee or Tea

Coffee and tea contain caffeine, which inhibits the growth of the herpes simplex virus in test tubes. A July 1998 study published in the journal "Neuroscience Research" found that caffeine reduced cold-sore discomfort in rats, but only when the animals began consuming it at the first sign of an outbreak. When caffeine was started even two days after cold sores appeared, it had no effect. Although caffeine can cause side effects like fast heart rate and increased urination, MedlinePlus, a patient information service jointly maintained by the National Institutes of Health and the National Library of Medicine, says that "moderate" caffeine intake---less than or equal to three cups of coffee or five cups of black tea---has no negative effect on health. Iced coffee and tea have a numbing effect that confers additional benefits on cold sore symptoms. However, very hot versions of any food should be avoided--they can cause tissue damage that actually triggers new cold sores to form and makes existing ones worse.

Dairy Products

Dairy products like milk, yogurt and cheese are rich in an amino acid called lysine that inhibits the growth of the herpes simplex virus in test tubes, according to nutritional medicine specialist Alan R. Gaby, M.D., in the December 2005 issue of "Alternative Medicine Reviews." However, the benefits of dairy products for cold sore sufferers are not limited to lysine. Acids in foods can irritate the delicate surface of skin affected by cold sores. Dairy products are rich in acid-neutralizing calcium, while the proteins in milk tend to coagulate and form a protective coating over mouth surfaces. Unlike other protein sources like meat and poultry, dairy products offer a soft or liquid consistency that won't scratch or scrape sensitive cold sores. Also unlike meat and poultry, dairy products are usually enjoyed cold, which means they don't cause heat-related tissue damage that can delay cold sore healing.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables contain nutrients like vitamin C and flavonoids that help support the health of the immune system. In his 2007 book "Integrative Medicine," University of Wisconsin professor David Rakel, M.D., recommends that people with cold sores consume at least seven or eight servings of fruits and vegetables per day. A 2006 study in "International Journal of Epidemiology" concluded that fruit intake was actually more important than vegetable intake, at least for people with a related herpes virus. Good fruit choices for people with active cold sore symptoms include cantaloupe, watermelon, berries, mangoes, papayas, and bananas. Good vegetable choices include spinach and other leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, carrots, winter squash and avocados. Although citrus fruits are excellent sources of vitamin C between outbreaks, they should be avoided during an outbreak because they can cause irritation that makes cold sore symptoms worse.

References

Article reviewed by Elizabeth Last updated on: Nov 6, 2010

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