The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by Vincent (Brewster, New York) on 07/21/2007
Image this...I don't drink soda, chew gum, or ingest anything containing aspartame. I was at the gym the other day and buy a flavored bottled water drink. Less than 5 minutes after drinking it, a huge cold sore appears on my lip. I wake up the next morning with this cold sore having gotten worse. I spend all day thinking about why this could have happened and the only thing I can connect is that flavored water. I dig through my recycling bin and read the ingredients. Sure enough it contains aspartame. Keep in mind, my body is super sensitive to aspartame because I don't ingest it. At the least, knowing that aspartame was the cause of this put my mind at ease. Aspartame is Satan on a sweet stick.
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by Paul (Durban, South Africa) on 05/26/2010
Do not touch anything with "aspartame" or phenylalanine on the label !!
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by Trish (West Palm, Florida) on 07/19/2007
I have been reading a lot of the comments here & I wanted to tell my story. I need to talk to people about this cuz if I don't I get stressed out. I've had G.H. for about 10yrs. I used medicines including Choraphor, Valtrex, an oxygen spray and DMSO cream. Out of all these, the only one that I think worked for me for a while was the the oxygen spray and probably Valtrex (when I had an OB). About a month ago, I got on a protein & veggies diet...somewhat like an Atkins Diet. I started getting ulcerations on the back of my throat a couple of weeks later. They went away and came back w/in a week but on the edges of my mouth...those went away about a week later and they're back again on my throat. Unfortunately, you cant treat this because i read that the lesions are supposed to stay dry to heal quick. I went to the doctor this morning and he tells me that he's never seen herpes in the back of the throat before and that it could be pharyngitis. I read about Pharyngitis and I think he's wrong. He did a culture test but I'll find out next week who's right..me or the doctor.
I also noticed that I have been chewing sugarfree gum, drinking crystal light & Propel in my water bottles. I guess I shouldn't have done that huh? Who knew??
What I dont understand is that the same time I started this diet and got the 1st OB in my throat, I also started taking Valtrex everyday and also got Lysine vitamins but yet I still get OB's. Im starting to think that not even Valtrex works anymore. Could there be such a thing as too much medicine can make OB's reappear?
The only good thing about this is that I found a list of foods that I can eat and the ones I can avoid. if you would like a copy, I will happily send it to you if you wish.
Im a Christian and I pray to God everyday that He cures all of us since the world keeps saying there is no cure. Honestly, I think that this is the only hope I have. Do you believe in miracles?
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by Giana (Tampa, Fl) on 12/07/2008
Yes Trish, and many others do believe in miracles. I was just diagnosed as having HSV-2, about 1 week ago, although I have been experiencing cold sores since I was a little girl. When the nurse gave me the information on the diagnosis, she immediately said she was calling in a prescription for Valtrex, she was so brief and I was so confused and thought twice about taking the Valtrex because I prefer natual remedies. Certain groups say there is no cure for Herpes, but I believe there is because I have found several sources online that provide this information, but they don't disclose exactly who they are for fear of being harrassed or losing their lives, as does happen. Miracles? Yes. Cure? I do believe. Let's keep helping each other and others who believe HSV and other viruses and illnesses can be managed and/or eliminated. Thanks everyone for the great ideas on this site.
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by Anonymous (Los Angeles, California, USA) on 06/29/2007
I was so glad to find this site! Since 1997, I had a strange burning sensation, sometimes with sores. I thought it might be herpes, but all tests (once every couple of months!!) always came back negative.
Well, one year, I moved, but I still had a job in the old town, so I was commuting two hours each way to work. So I started drinking Diet Red Bull to stay awake. Well, it works GREAT at keeping me awake, but I ended up in the emergency room with herpes sores that were so painful I couldn't move. Diet Red Bull contains *BOTH* aspartame *AND* arginine, so when I found this site, I immediately knew what the problem was. Thanks to this site, and a bottle of Red Marine Algae, I hardly ever have outbreaks, and they're only vaguely irritating, nothing like that first outbreak. Thanks!
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by EN (Toronto Canada) on 06/26/2007
I have experienced cold sores since I was 6 years old. I got them on a regular basis. About 1 every two months.I came across your website after I got an outbreak just before a very important event. I read about artifical sweetners and was surprised that this could be the cause. I used to use sweetners like it was on the top of my food pyramid. I stopped using it for some time and I was doing great. No outbreaks for over 4 months. Yesturday I slacked off and drank a diet coke and I was out of sugar so I used atificial sweetners and today I woke up with a cold sore!! I'm going to the store right now to buy some Lysine I really need it to go away as I am going on a vacation in two days :( Thanks so much I will never go against your advice and I will stay away from artifical sweetners for as long as I live. Thanks!
Dietary Recommendations
Posted by Surfcity (Orange County, Ca) on 12/06/2010
Kudos, it sounds like you are on the right track except cut out the nuts! Or at least the peanuts!!
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by Robin (London, U.K) on 05/13/2007
Hi l would just like to thank you guys for this site, it's kind of changed my life, not wanting to sound too dramatic about it, but it has.l have been suffering from Genital Herpes for near on 15 years with recently an outbreak occurring almost weekly for the past 2 years, one outbreak would start then as soon it began healing another would start, it has had a very big impact on my life, almost controlling my life from day to day.l refused to take drugs as i felt it would be trading off one problem for another, l never take any kind of drug. But about a month ago I came across this site,, and started reading your messages on Herpes, l realised that I too have been having a very regular intake of Artificial sweeteners through sugar free gums and drinks, l stopped them immediately and started taking L-Lysine 1000mg a day plus Vitamin C 1000mg per day. modified my diet in a big way, cut out Chocolates wine beers and foods high in Arginine,( as an aside not sure if this is connected but l also suffered from Hay Fever and have a bad cat allergy ) but since starting this regime a month ago my Herpes attacks have stopped dead and my allergies have dramatically reduced still can't quite believe the changes that have happened and am kind of waiting for it to go pear shaped, but if it does I would still be happy with the fact that I have had at least a month in my life without Herpes. l thank you all each and everyone of you involved or who have contributed to this web site, l thank you from the bottom of my heart. keep up the good work
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by Jessica (Brooklyn, Ny) on 09/09/2013
I just realized I drank a diet snapple by accident yesterday. I never eat or drink diet anything. I came down with a cold sore a few hours latter. I think there is much truth to this.
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by Timh (Ky, Usa) on 09/10/2013 2041 posts
Thanx for your post, Jess.
Cleaning out the cupboard, I cooked a can of chicken noodle soup said to be 25% less sodium, but I made the critical mistake (forgot) that the sodium is monosodium glutamate. I also took three different kinds of pharmaceutical medications w/ this meal, and developed a reaction that lasted about 24 hrs with side effects lasting one week latter. My liver, intestines, and heart were most affected and my BP spiked considerably. Am working and hoping to avoid any long-term damage (as I also have major environmental toxicity issues). Those hidden dangers.
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by Nadine (Atlanta, GA, US) on 05/12/2007
I have to say I am relieved that I have looked on this site today. I have been trying to be healthy with what I put into my body for quite some time but last week I slacked off. I had several diet sodas a I started chewing sugarless gum like it was going out of style. Mind you that I haven't had an outbreak in over a year. Well the other day, as you can guess, I had an out break. No more aspartame and sucralose for me.
Garlic
Posted by Emily (Madison, Maine) on 05/10/2007
★★★★★
I take the odorless garlic softgels for my Herpes outbreaks. I take twelve softgels when I feel the tingling and then three every four hours while awake for the next few days. If I don't get it soon enough to prevent it then it only lasts a few days. I also use the softgels for when I have ear pain. I pierce the gelcap and squeeze the contents on a cottonball and put it in the offending ear for an hour. Then do the same over night. You will feel an immediate response and the overnight treatment only needs to be done for a couple of nights. I LOVE garlic. These remedies I have found through many health and herbal remedy books.
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by Sue (Alexandria, Minnesota) on 05/04/2007
I have just read your feedbacks about aspartame and I avoided it like the plaque. I never drink or eat diet foods. I never even thought about chewing gum. I have had oral sores inside my mouth and it seems to affect my entire body. I have flu like symptoms and have self diagnosed myself as having herpes simplex 1. I am going to quit chewing gum and see if this helps. I will keep you posted of my results. Thank you for this website! It is a God send.
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by Jem (Sudbury, Canada) on 04/15/2007
I usually never have more than 2 breakouts a year. But since I have inherited my friend's deceased mother's staples, which included Splenda, I have had a break out 1/mth. As well Of late I have increased my intake of aspartame by chewing more gum than ever before as a diet strategy for weight loss and a substitute for food. Thank you sooo much for the info.
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by KNOWLEDGE IS POWER (Perth, Australia) on 04/13/2007
Have heard two comments now regarding Oxygen Therapy or Hyperbaric Therapy. I am about to give this therapy a go. Also just wanted to say that I think this website is a fantastic forum and agree that the use of Splenda and Aspartame are huge culprits of outbreaks. I haven't had an outbreak for approx 4 weeks now, however I had a chinese dish today for lunch (around 1.30pm) and found out it contained MSG after eating it. I am now experiencing the tingling and itching sensations (now 11.05pm) which are my warning bells going off, so I've taken 2 l-lysine tablets. Not sure what exactly is in MSG but I'm about to search the net for some answers! Will be embarking on the Oxygen Therapy and low carb/high protein diets as protein contains natural l-lysine. Will keep u posted on how it pans out!! KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by Neall (St. Louis, MO, USA) on 03/15/2007
I had experienced several outbreaks a year since childhood of cold sores, especially in the winter. I haven't had more than a couple of outbreaks in the past few years, mostly I think due to maintaining healthy water intake and when my lips feel like they are starting to get chapped, using Blistex Lip Infusion. In my experience, it is
dehydration that triggers my outbreaks. Since I am following a low-carb diet, I have been substituting Splenda and Nutrasweet for sugar quite a bit. I have experienced no ill effects so far and have had no outbreaks of cold sores since I started using them frequently several months ago. I realize that everyone is different and are affected differently so if you need a non-sugar sweetener and you think that Splenda and Nutrasweet are causing problems, I suggest trying Stevia extract. It comes from a naturally occurring plant and has no unpleasant aftertaste. It may seem expensive but a little goes a long way. I buy it at Whole Foods but I'm pretty sure I've seen it at Trader Joe's too. There are usually two kinds, one with maltose and one just Stevia. I can taste a slightly unpleasant aftertaste with the maltose so I try to avoid it.
PS: I've used Abreva and it did seem to help but only if used before the blister starts to show. When the blister was already showing, it seemed to increase the size and duration of the blister(s).
PPS: Low carb iced tea recipe: (per ~2L water) 2 bags Luzianne iced tea, 1 bag Yogi Throat Comfort tea, 3 tiny scoops of Superior Source Sweet 'n Natural 100% pure Stevia. Stir, ice, and enjoy!
Dietary Recommendations
Posted by Deb (Dayton, OH) on 03/15/2007
★★★★★
I just wanted to add to all the great info about herpes. I have found that the greatest culprits to preceed a herpes outbreak are the consumption of chocolate and nuts (except almonds). These are high in L-arginine, so whenever I eat these things, I take some lysine to counteract the effects of the arginine. I eat a natural diet and don't get outbreaks, except when I forget to do this. It's always "oh, yeah, I had a buch of nuts yesterday!
Dietary Recommendations
Posted by Tanya (Darwin, Australia) on 03/13/2007
★★★★★
I was told by a conventional Western doctor he has seen huge reductions in herpes outbreaks when people stop eating chocolate, almonds and peanuts. Hopefully this, along with never touching aspartame, may help people.
Dietary Recommendations
Posted by Mark (Las Vegas, Nv) on 03/31/2012
Raw Chocolate and Raw Almonds are both very good for your health. The processed version not so much. The problem is not these foods but the virus.
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by Chris (Cebu, Philippines) on 03/06/2007
Just read your article on
Aspartame and how it may trigger an outbreak. I am wondering if this is the cause of my current outbreak, as I have just traveled to the Philippines where the formula for diet coke contains Aspartame. After having my first diet coke monday morning, I started having an outbreak. Also know that I have been traveling a lot over the past 2 weeks.
Broccoli
Posted by Jayden (S.A. Texas) on 03/02/2007
★★★★★
Eat broccoli and you could ward off Herpes ~ Preliminary lab studies of monkey and human cells conducted by researchers at the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine in Rootstown, Ohio show that a compound found naturally in broccoli, cabbage, and brussels sprouts-- indole-3-carbinol--may be a key to inhibiting the herpes simplex virus. And it works really well. The compound blocked the virus from reproducing by an amazing 99.9 percent--essentially 100 percent effectiveness.
The indole-3-carbinol compound works by interfering with factors that help cells reproduce. It inhibits the herpes simplex virus in the same way, since the virus needs those same factors as the cells to reproduce, reports WebMD and the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The study: The researchers treated human and monkey cells with indole-3-carbinol. Then they infected them with one of two strains of the herpes virus: HSV-1, which can cause oral or genital herpes, and HSV-2, which causes genital herpes. The cells were also infected with a herpes virus strain that is known to be resistant to medication.
The results: The indole-3-carbinol compound blocked the virus from reproducing by at least 99.9 percent. Best of all, since the compound is found in food, it's safe.
Herpes differs markedly from other viruses. Once a person contracts it, the virus lives in the body for a lifetime. The American Social Health Association estimates that as many as 80 percent of adults in the United States have oral herpes, while 20 percent have genital herpes. Fully 90 percent are unaware they have the virus. There is no cure.
While this research news is promising, caution is advised until further studies are done. What works in the lab doesn't always work on humans in the real world. Still, eating more broccoli is a good idea not only to prevent herpes, but also to possibly ward off cancer, cataracts, and stroke.
The research findings were presented to the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.
Also, good news, eating late at night is not the cause weight gain, imbalanced hormones that can be correct is. By eating foods high in vegetable, fruit and fiber content you can eat late at night and lose weight. Also, the best hormones supplied by a new cream called Strength Energy supports DHEA, testosterone, pregnenolone, and Estroblock clears bad estrogens -all necessary for rapid fat loss. Take BMR for thyroid support to increase metabolism, add natural stress fighter - Isocort, Stress is the cause of sugar and salt craving, take nuerotransmitters to support dopamine, serotonin, and epinepherine.
