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On Hot Drinks and Caffeine
“And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly” (D&C 89:9).
The consumption of coffee or tea, whether hot or cold, is recognized by the Church as a violation of the Word of Wisdom. Coffee and tea contain substances such as caffeine, which has been linked to disease. While the Word of Wisdom does not specifically mention caffeine, it is commonly understood in the medical community that higher doses of caffeine are associated with infertility, Meniere’s disease (a disease affecting balance), insomnia, sudden infant death syndrome (with maternal consumption in utero), and fibrocystic disease of the breasts. In addition, gastric acid disease (ulcers of the stomach and duodenum) may also be linked to consumption of both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, lending credence to the Word of Wisdom’s advice to avoid “hot drinks.” From the perspective of medical science, most investigators who have examined the effects of caffeine suggest that caffeinated beverages should not be consumed in large quantities.6 Cited study- P. Nawrot and others, “Effects of Caffeine on Human Health,” abstract, Food Additives and Contaminates, Jan. 2003, 1–30, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih .gov/entrez/query or I found the full study at http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all?content=10.1080/0265203021000007840
Below is the abstract for the 2003 study The Ensign cites as saying caffeine is "linked to disease" and "lend(s) credience to the WoW advice to avoid "hot drinks", when it clearly says caffeine is good for most adults--- in moderation and if you're not pregnant or a child. While rarely caffeine can cause disease in "at risk subgroups", all of the latest research shows it fights several diseases (see the list in the newest research article, below). Please, read the info. and decide for yourself...like The Ensign said, the WoW was given 175 years ago.
Abstract Used By The Ensign
Caffeine is probably the most frequently ingested pharmacologically active substance in the world. It is found in common beverages (coffee, tea, soft drinks), in products containing cocoa or chocolate, and in medications. Because of its wide consumption at different levels by most segments of the population, the public and the scientific community have expressed interest in the potential for caffeine to produce adverse effects on human health. The possibility that caffeine ingestion adversely affects human health was investigated based on reviews of (primarily) published human studies obtained through a comprehensive literature search. Based on the data reviewed, it is concluded that for the healthy adult population, moderate daily caffeine intake at a dose level up to 400 mg day-1 (equivalent to 6 mg kg-1 body weight day-1 in a 65-kg person) is not associated with adverse effects such as general toxicity, cardiovascular effects, effects on bone status and calcium balance (with consumption of adequate calcium), changes in adult behaviour, increased incidence of cancer and effects on male fertility. The data also show that reproductive-aged women and children are 'at risk' subgroups who may require specific advice on moderating their caffeine intake. Based on available evidence, it is suggested that reproductive-aged women should consume ≤ 300 mg caffeine per day (equivalent to 4.6 mg kg-1 bw day-1 for a 65-kg person) while children should consume ≤ 2.5 mg kg-1 bw day-1.
Here's the link to the most recent study that was on the newswire, you can click to read the actual research from the Annals of Internal Medicine. "Study Pours On The Good News For Coffee Drinkers" It says 5-7 cups a week is good for you and lists all the positives and negatives of coffee drinking.
http://www.star-telegram.com/living/story/740786.html
While I don't drink coffee because I wasn't raised to and well, it tastes nasty, please let me read accurate research and use my free agency without religious punishment!
14 comments:
Do you suggest they have subgroups for the word of wisdom so that women and children are allowed less caffeine? It's the sad truth that the bar has to be set for the lowest common denominator. You can't expect everyone to do the research. It just won't happen.
Do you plan to take this to the next level? It seems that few people pay any attention to the part about using meats "sparingly" and only in times of winter or famine.
And how about using "prudence"? Obesity seems to me to be a greater danger than indulging in my can of Diet Coke. Yep, I love the Diet Coke, but like you don't care for coffee, or any hot drinks for that matter.
We hear what we want to hear....
The biggest thing that bothered me was that The Ensign misrepresented the researched they cited and why did they have to use a study from 2003?
I don't even think the study was truly misrepresented. The Ensign says multiple times that "higher doses" of caffeine aren't good for you which is exactly what the study says. It says caffeine doesn't have negative effects when taken in smaller doses but that larger doses should be avoided especially for women and children. I think you may be looking for what you want to see here.Also the church has never said that caffeine for medicinal purposes (tylenol even has caffeine in it.) If there truly isn't a more helpful way to deal with your cholesterol I don't think that the tea isn't a big deal. But perhaps i'm just seeing what I want to as well.
To the last poster, you're right, The Ensign article does say several times "higher doses," but the issue I have is the statement that caffeine use is "linked to disease" used as a blanket threat for all people-- those cases a rare and in groups that are already "at risk" according ot the study they cite. It also says "lending credence to the WoW advice to avoid "hot drinks"-- that's not what the study says, only that preg. women and children should avoid it. The Ensign article is using the study's caution for a small group of people as justifcation for WoW-- that is the definition of misrepresentation.
Also, if you look at the link the newest study says 5-7 cups a week is beneficial if you're in the "at risk" category.
I just want the church to think further about WoW and admit current research contradicts it for most caffeine use---otherwise it makes me think WoW is more about control than health...
So current medical research says that drinking red wine in moderation is good for you too. (although the same benefit could come from grape juice.) Do you suggest throwing out caution for alcohol too? And why would church leaders want to control our eating and drinking habbits just for the fun of it? I think that for the vast majority WOW improves lives rather than hurts them.
I think it's less the health risk, and more the fact that caffeine is addictive. Being addicted to anything is bad, even if it's just coffee or soda. I have an addiction to TV, and that is just as bad. Addictions are just one way that Satan tries to control us.
If the leaders of the church thought the WoW was outdated they would change it.
I'm sticking with it. It just makes sense to "Follow the Prophet."
Good point Britta! I agree that it's about addictions, I just find it difficult to accept there's a double standard for colas. As far as red wine, yes there are health benefits, however you pay a high price for alcohol addition and it can endanger others, whereas with caffeine addiction the risks are lower.
I don't think church leaders want to control for the "fun of it" more so they cater to the least among us and forget that many people in the church have intelligence and will make the right decision if you give them all of the information- and ensure it's accurate.
Well, I for one, choose simply not to argue with or question the wisdom of the prophets. And let's not forget, please, how often something is purported to be good for us, beneficial for our minds, bodies, or spirits, and then we found out weeks, months, or years down the road that it simply wasn't true. Whether it isn't good for the masses or isn't good for the minority means nothing to me because I believe in living by the Precautionary Principle.
Well I for one preferr the caffienated red wine coffee-flavored tea served nice and HOT! Truly invigorating!
It goes so well with my 6 pounds of Brazillian churrascaria meats.
Later, I enjoy the soothing properties afforded by a wad of North Carolina's finest between my teeth and gums...it really cuts down on the bruising caused by chewing so much meat!
Maybe Joseph Smith would have stopped drinking beer, tea, and coffee if he'd only listened to the wise cousel of modern prophets.
What? Joseph Smith WAS the modern prophet. I get where Molly is coming from. It seems like a complete double standard. Drink all the coke you want and you can still go to the temple but drink one cup of coffee in the morning and nope! So sorry. It does look like the Ensign is saying coffee and tea are bad for you strictly because of the caffeine. Yes I know it did say decaf too but it mostly focuses on the caffeine issue. Now, I like my Dr. Pepper but I don't see why drinking it makes me better than my friend and her morning java.
I do agree that the double standard is really stupid.
whooosh!!
Molly will understand what this sound means!
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