Acute infection with the Epstein-Barr virus the cause of mononucleosis, and a low-grade chronic infection is suspected of being responsible for many cases of chronic fatigue syndrome. Clusterheads as a group have higher levels of antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus in their blood, and this may contribute to headaches according to the Neuroimmune Hypothesis.

Research has shown that consuming beets can reduce Epstein-Barr activity. PMID:8620443 (cache). Beets are a good source of red pigments ('betalains') which may have antiviral properties. Beets are also rich in trimethylglycine, a methyl donor with B-vitamin like activity. Trimethylglycine, like SAM-E, supports a number of biochemical steps that are required for serotonin synthesis.

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