Lysine & Arginine Food Database

Browse our database of 6,000+ foods with lysine and arginine content information.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) requires arginine — an amino acid found in many common foods — to replicate. Maintaining a diet where lysine consistently outweighs arginine is one of the most evidence-backed nutritional strategies for reducing the frequency of herpes outbreaks. This database lets you check the exact lysine-to-arginine ratio for over 6,000 foods, so you can make smarter choices at every meal.

A ratio above 1.0 (more lysine than arginine) is generally considered favourable for people managing herpes. Foods with ratios below 0.5 — particularly nuts, seeds, and chocolate — are the most likely to tip the balance in the virus's favour. Use the search and category filters below to find the foods you eat most often, then check out our guide on how to build a herpes-friendly diet for practical meal planning advice.

Showing all foods
Name ⇅ Category ⇅ Lysine (mg) ⇅ Arginine (mg) ⇅ Ratio ⇅
Starfruit (Carambola) Fruit 77 21 3.6
Papaya Fruit 50.33 19.87 2.53
Sapodilla Fruit 39 17 2.3
Mango Fruit 28.33 13 2.18
Apricot Fruit 90.35 42.11 2.15
Apple Fruit 11.33 5.33 2.13
Pear, Dried Fruit 66.29 31.86 2.08
Applesauce, Unsweetened Fruit 9.84 4.92 2
Crabapple, Slices Fruit 25.45 12.73 2
Nectarine Fruit 60 30 2
Apple, Dried Fruit 57.81 29.69 1.95
Pear Fruit 12.78 6.67 1.92
Apricot, Dried Fruit 254.29 140 1.82
Fig, dried Fruit 120.63 69.31 1.74
Fig Fruit 29.23 16.92 1.73
Avocado Fruit 69.44 43.75 1.59
Apple Juice Fruit 6.7 4.6 1.46
Pineapple Fruit 25.2 18.1 1.39
Persimmon Fruit 27.5 21 1.31
Lemon Fruit 39 30 1.3
Peach, Dried Fruit 116.15 92.31 1.26
Prunes Juice Fruit 29.4 23.5 1.25
Peach Fruit 17.39 13.91 1.25
Prunes Fruit 50 40 1.25
Tamarind Fruit 140 112 1.25
Pomegranate Fruit 110 90 1.22
Plum Fruit 163.64 134.55 1.22
Cherries Fruit 110 90 1.2
Guava Fruit 18.75 16.92 1.11
Lime Fruit 39 36 1.08
Watermelon Fruit 61.88 58.75 1.05
Banana Fruit 31.43 30.86 1.02
Pineapple Juice Fruit 14.9 15.5 0.96
Strawberries Fruit 37 39 0.95
Dates Fruit 50 55 0.91
Lemon Juice Fruit 23 25.6 0.9
Acai Berry Fruit 52 60 0.87
Pomegranate Juice Fruit 64.8 77 0.84
Kiwi Fruit 61 82 0.74
Tangerine Fruit 27 37 0.73
Orange Fruit 34.44 47.22 0.73
Plantain Fruit 37 66 0.6
Elderberries Fruit 26 47 0.6
Cantaloupe Fruit 30 51 0.59
Orange Juice Fruit 20.3 40.4 0.5
Olives Fruit 35.71 71.43 0.5
Jackfruit Fruit 70 140 0.5
Pitaya (Dragon Fruit) Fruit 72.8 149 0.49
Cranberries Juice Fruit 23 47.9 0.48
Cranberries Fruit 15.5 32.3 0.48
Blueberries Fruit 11.7 33.8 0.35
Goji Berries Fruit 232.14 721.43 0.32
Grapes, Slip Skin Fruit 8.5 27.4 0.31
Coconut Flour Fruit 200.48 641.96 0.31
Coconut Fruit 147 546 0.27
Coconut Meat Fruit 147 546 0.27
Grapefruit Fruit 16 70 0.23
Coconut Cream Fruit 133.33 600 0.22
Grape Juice Fruit 10 47 0.21
Tangerine Juice Fruit 7 34 0.21

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How to Use the Lysine-Arginine Ratio

The ratio shown in the database is calculated as lysine ÷ arginine per 100g of food. Higher is better for people with herpes. Here is a quick guide to interpreting the numbers:

  • Ratio > 2.0: Excellent — strongly favours lysine. Examples: most fish, poultry, and dairy.
  • Ratio 1.0–2.0: Good — more lysine than arginine. Safe to eat freely.
  • Ratio 0.5–1.0: Moderate — roughly balanced. Eat in moderation alongside high-lysine foods.
  • Ratio < 0.5: Unfavourable — significantly more arginine than lysine. Limit these foods, especially during or before an outbreak.

All values in the database are per 100g of food unless stated otherwise. Portion size matters: a small amount of a high-arginine food may still be fine in the context of an otherwise lysine-rich meal. Focus on your overall daily ratio rather than avoiding individual foods entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which foods have the highest lysine-to-arginine ratio?

Fish consistently top the database — particularly flounder, cod, halibut, and sole — with ratios of 3.0 or higher. Poultry (chicken and turkey breast) and most dairy products (cottage cheese, ricotta, Greek yogurt) also score very favourably. Among plant foods, mangoes and papayas have unusually high lysine-to-arginine ratios compared to most fruits.

Which common foods are highest in arginine and worst for herpes?

Nuts are the biggest concern — particularly peanuts, almonds, walnuts, and Brazil nuts, which have arginine-to-lysine ratios of 3:1 or higher. Seeds (sesame, sunflower, pumpkin) are similarly high in arginine. Chocolate and cocoa are notorious for their high arginine content. Among grains, oats and wheat germ have higher arginine relative to refined grains. These foods are not forbidden, but they are best eaten alongside high-lysine proteins to offset the arginine load.

How much lysine per day is recommended for herpes management?

Clinical studies on lysine for herpes have used doses ranging from 1,000mg to 3,000mg daily. For maintenance (outbreak prevention), 1,000–1,500mg per day is the most commonly studied dose. For acute outbreak treatment, 3,000mg per day for 5–7 days is sometimes used. These amounts are achievable through diet alone only if you are eating substantial portions of lysine-rich proteins at multiple meals — supplementation fills the gap for most people. Always discuss supplementation doses with your healthcare provider, as high-dose lysine can cause gastrointestinal side effects.

Can I use this database to plan a herpes-friendly meal plan?

Yes. Search for the protein sources you eat most regularly and confirm they have ratios above 1.0. Then check snack foods, nuts, and any protein supplements you use — these are the most likely sources of hidden arginine in a typical diet. Building meals around fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy as your primary proteins, with vegetables and fruits as sides, will naturally produce a lysine-favourable diet for most people. Our guide to the best foods for cold sores provides a practical meal planning framework using this data.