Evil Effects of Tea and Coffee
[
Testimonies for the Church 2:64, 65
(1868).]
The use of tea and coffee is also injurious to the system. To a
certain extent, tea produces intoxication. It enters into the circulation
and gradually impairs the energy of body and mind. It stimulates,
excites, and quickens the motion of the living machinery, forcing it to
unnatural action, and thus gives the tea drinker the impression that it is
doing him great service, imparting to him strength. This is a mistake.
Tea draws upon the strength of the nerves, and leaves them greatly
weakened. When its influence is gone and the increased action caused
by its use is abated, then what is the result? Languor and debility
corresponding to the artificial vivacity the tea imparted.
When the system is already overtaxed and needs rest, the use of tea
spurs up nature by stimulation to perform unwonted, unnatural action,
and thereby lessens her power to perform, and her ability to endure;
and her powers give out long before Heaven designed they should. Tea
is poisonous to the system. Christians should let it alone.
The influence of coffee is in a degree the same as tea, but the effect
upon the system is still worse. Its influence is exciting, and just in the
degree that it elevates above par, it will exhaust and bring prostration
below par. Tea and coffee drinkers carry the marks upon their faces.
The skin becomes sallow and assumes a lifeless appearance. The glow
of health is not seen upon the countenance.
Tea and Coffee Do Not Nourish
Tea and coffee do not nourish the system. The relief obtained
from them is sudden, before the stomach has time to digest them.
[88]
This shows that what the users of these stimulants call strength, is
only received by exciting the nerves of the stomach, which convey the
irritation to the brain, and this in turn is aroused to impart increased
action to the heart, and short-lived energy to the entire system. All
this is false strength, that we are the worse for having. They do not
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