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No specific diet currently exists for Lyme disease, and most people recover well with antibiotics. However, consuming anti-inflammatory foods may help clear up symptoms. Share on PinterestBisual Studio/StocksyCurrently, there are minimal studies on the effects of food and nutrition on Lyme disease. However, the right balance of nutrition may help reduce Lyme disease symptoms and promote recovery. Foods with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, such as bananas, may support the immune system’s strength against infections such as Lyme disease. This article explores Lyme disease and the benefits of bananas and other foods that may help a person recover from the condition. What is Lyme disease Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. A bite from black-legged ticks infected with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi can pass this infection to humans. However, a person has to have the tick attached to them for at least 36–48 hours to transmit the bacterium to the person. Lyme disease triggers the production of inflammatory cytokines (proteins that promote inflammation). This excessive inflammatory response in the body causes damage to multiple tissues, leading to oxidative stress and inflammation. It can also cause mitochondrial dysfunction, where mitochondria do not produce as much energy for the body, among other things. How Lyme disease affects a person Lyme disease can affect the joints, heart, skin, and nervous system. Symptoms and their severity vary from person to person. Lyme disease can be challenging for doctors to diagnose due to nonspecific symptoms that resemble other health conditions, such as flu or a rash. While other symptoms such as a headache and Bell’s palsy may take months to appear, they typically clear up with antibiotic treatment. However, they may persist in some people. A 2022 study found that persisting symptoms, called chronic Lyme disease or post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), may be caused by abnormalities in immune and inflammatory processes. Read more about the symptoms of Lyme disease. Benefits of bananas for Lyme disease While there have been no studies on the effects of an anti-inflammatory diet on Lyme disease and PTLDS, many follow an anti-inflammatory diet for its noted benefits to inflammatory autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Bananas are an example of anti-inflammatory food. They are a nutritious fruit that contains bioactive compounds, and contain properties that are:antimicrobialantioxidantanticancerantidiabetic Bananas also contain pectin, which is a primary source of dietary fiber. This feeds the “good” bacteria in the gut, helps manage blood sugar levels, and delays the transit of food from the stomach to the colon. A person adding bananas to their diet should consider the ripeness and the serving size of the bananas, since they are also high in carbohydrates and sugar. People should avoid a high sugar level in the body because it can be pro-inflammatory, which can worsen symptoms. Other foods that may help An anti-inflammatory food diet may benefit people with Lyme disease. Examples of anti-inflammatory diets include the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet. Foods high in anti-inflammatory properties include:fish and fish oilsfruits and vegetableswhole grainsgreen teaturmericgingerherbs and spices Antioxidants Antioxidants can also help counteract inflammation and protect tissues from damage. The best sources of antioxidants are plant-based foods, especially fruits and vegetables. Some of the food and vitamins that are high in antioxidants include:vitamin A, found in goji berries and eggsvitamin C, found in citrus fruits such as oranges, broccoli, and cabbagevitamin E, found in spinach and nutsbeta carotene, found in brightly colored fruits and vegetables such as carrotslycopene, found in tomatoeslutein, found in green leafy vegetablesselenium, found in pasta and breadzinc, found in lean meat Read more about antioxidants here. A 2022 study also found that coenzyme Q10, a known antioxidant supplement, had the following benefits for a person with Lyme disease:reduced fatiguecountered tissue damageaddressed abnormal heart functionlowered oxidative stress Oils and herbs A 2018 study found that oils from garlic and other common herbs show strong activity against the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. These include:cinnamon barkthymecuminmyrrh Probiotics and prebiotics Probiotics can also support gut health. This can help reduce inflammation, strengthen immunity, and promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut. Foods high in probiotics include:yogurtkefirkimchisauerkrauttempeh Prebiotics serve as food for the good bacteria in the gut — probiotics. Bananas are also high in prebiotics. These stimulate the immune system through their effect on the gut microbiota. They also reduce inflammation by increasing the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines while decreasing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Read about the differences between prebiotics and probiotics. Foods to avoid A person with Lyme disease may want to avoid foods containing common inflammatory triggers, including:processed foodssugarrefined carbohydratessaturated fatstrans fatsdairy products that do not contain probiotics, such as nonaged cheeses, including fresh cheeses A 2021 study found that people had more inflammatory markers when they followed certain dietary patterns, such as a person who consumed more: animal products processed foods alcohol sugar However, a person should confirm food allergies with a healthcare professional or allergist to avoid unnecessary dietary restrictions. Read about common food allergies here. When to consult a doctor A person who has been to a tick-prone area should consult a doctor if they:know or suspect that a tick has bitten themhave a red, oval rashhave developed flu-like symptoms within a few weeks after a tick bite Early signs They should also look for early signs of Lyme disease:itchingfatigueneck stiffnessjoint painheadachemuscle achesfeverchillsa general feeling of weakness, known as malaiseswollen lymph nodesdizziness A person with any early Lyme disease symptoms should contact a doctor. Taking antibiotics early in the disease can help promote faster recovery and reduce the risk of complications. Summary Lyme disease is an inflammatory disease caused by a bite from an infected black-legged tick. Lyme disease responds well to antibiotics. However, nutrition may also play a role in the recovery of people with Lyme disease. Bananas are versatile fruits with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties that can help counteract inflammation and support the body’s immune system. People may benefit from an anti-inflammatory diet and avoiding pro-inflammatory foods. Last medically reviewed on May 15, 2022Bites and StingsNutrition / Diet 14 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Antioxidants. (2020).https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/antioxidantsArulselvan, P., et al. (2016). Role of antioxidants and natural products in inflammation.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5075620/Bolte, L. A., et al. (2021). Long-term dietary patterns are associated with pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory features of the gut microbiome.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8223641/Cairns, V. (2022). Inflammation, biofilms and dietary measures in post treatment Lyme disease syndrome.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21641846.2022.2052517Feng, J., et al. (2018). Identification of essential oils with strong activity against stationary phase Borrelia burgdorferi.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/7/4/89/htmIddir, M., et al. (2020). Strengthening the immune system and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress through diet and nutrition: Considerations during the COVID-19 crisis. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/6/1562/htmKhanna, S., et al. (2017). Managing rheumatoid arthritis with dietary interventions.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2017.00052/fullLyme disease. (2022). .https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/index.htmlMantle, D., et al. (2022). Lyme disease: A role for coenzyme q10 supplementation?https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/11/4/667/htmPeacock, B. N., et al. (2015). New insights into Lyme disease.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4392059/Phillips, K. M., et al. (2021). Dietary fiber, starch, and sugars in bananas at different stages of ripeness in the retail market. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8266066/Sarma, P. P., et al. (2021). A pharmacological perspective of banana: Implications relating to therapeutic benefits and molecular docking. [Abstract].https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2021/fo/d1fo00477h/unauthShokryazdan, P., et al. (2017). Effects of prebiotics on immune system and cytokine expression [Abstract].https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00430-016-0481-ySingh, B., et al. (2016). Bioactive compounds in banana and their associated health benefits – A review [Abstract].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27041291/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Jerlyn Jones, MS MPA RDN LD CLT, Nutrition — By Rachel Ann Tee-Melegrito on May 15, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageBenefits and health risks of bananasMedically reviewed by Kathy Warwick, RD, LD Bananas may help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of developing cancer. 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