Black Tea Lysine and Arginine Info Sheet
Overview
Black tea is a type of tea that is more oxidized than green, oolong, and white teas.Black tea is rich in antioxidants known as polyphenols and also contains several vitamins.
| Name | Lysine (mg/100g) | Arginine (mg/100g) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Tea | 0.1mg | 0.1mg | 1 |
Black Tea contains 0.1mg of Lysine and 0.1mg of Arginine per 100g of product.
This means Black Tea has a neutral Lysine-Arginine ratio of 1.
Because Black Tea has a neutral ratio of lysine and arginine, it does not have a significant impact on people who suffer from herpes, as it does not affect the viral activity.
Lysine Considerations
Black tea contains trace amounts of lysine due to its low protein content.
It's one of the nine amino acids that the body can't produce, so it must be included in our diet.
Lysine has different roles in the body, such as aiding in growth, healing, energy production, immune function, and the production of collagen.
Research indicates that lysine may have an impact on the herpes virus, which is responsible for cold sores and genital sores.
Taking lysine supplements or using lysine cream could potentially prevent or treat these infections by stunting the amino acid arginine, which the virus requires for growth.
Arginine Considerations
Black tea contains trace amounts of arginine due to its low protein content.
Arginine can improve your overall health and performance, such as lowering your blood pressure, healing your wounds, and boosting your exercise endurance.
Arginine can be made by the human body or obtained from foods like meat, dairy, nuts, and soy.
Unfortunately, the herpes virus is known to "feed" on arginine, and having a diet higher in arginine than lysine may increase the occurrence and severity of cold sores and herpes outbreaks.
Lysine-Arginine Ratio
Black tea has a balanced lysine to arginine ratio, which means it has equal amounts of lysine and arginine, which is not typically a concern unless you have a medical condition that requires you to balance your intake of these amino acids.
Both lysine and arginine are important for protein synthesis and other bodily functions.
The two compounds can affect the herpes simplex virus, which is responsible for cold sores and genital herpes, in opposite ways.
Lysine can the body or stop the virus from reproducing, while arginine can help it propagate.
Eating foods with a high lysine-arginine ratio could help lower the appearance and severity of herpes flare ups.
Some foods that have a high lysine-arginine ratio are milk and cheese, fish, poultry, fruits, and vegetables.
These foods can give the body enough lysine to prevent the virus from taking up arginine, and thus stop its growth and spread.
Dietary Considerations
Tea and coffee are popular beverages that are made from the leaves or seeds of plants.
Tea and coffee contain caffeine, which can have stimulating, diuretic, and antioxidant effects.
Tea and coffee have only trace amounts of protein, and almost no lysine or arginine.
That said, tea and coffee can affect the absorption of lysine and arginine from other foods.
Tea contains tannins, which can bind to lysine and reduce its availability.
Coffee can increase the excretion of lysine and arginine through urine.
Because of this, tea and coffee should be consumed moderately and not with meals that are high in lysine or arginine.
For example:
A well-balanced and healthy diet that strengthens your immune system and lowers inflammation is important.
This means you should eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and good fats, and avoid processed foods, added sugars, alcohol, and caffeine.
Make sure to drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated and eliminate toxins from your body.
Water can also help you avoid dryness and irritation of the skin and mucous membranes, which can lead to outbreaks.
You may want to take l-lysine supplements.
L-lysine is known to prevent herpes outbreaks and it can help stop a cold sore in its initial stages by "starving" the virus of arginine before it has a chance to cause a cold sore.
Other food supplements, such as vitamin C, zinc, selenium, and antioxidants, can help you boost your immunity and protect your cells from oxidative stress.
Your immune system can be weakened and inflammation can be increased by foods that can cause allergic reactions or sensitivities, such as gluten, dairy, nuts, eggs, or shellfish.
Avoid these foods to avoid outbreaks.
Eating foods that can soothe your symptoms and speed up your healing process, such as honey, yogurt, aloe vera, and chamomile.
These foods have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties that can reduce pain, swelling, and itching, and promote tissue repair.
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