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Tea and Coffee
77
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 second effect of tea drinking is headache, wakefulness,
palpitation of the heart, indigestion, trembling of the nerves, with
many other evils.—
Testimonies for the Church 2:64, 65
.
Coffee Still More Harmful
—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
[77]
par it will exhaust and bring prostration below par. Tea and coffee
drinkers carry the marks upon their faces.... The glow of health is
not seen upon the countenance.—
Testimonies for the Church 2:64,
65
.
Coffee is a hurtful indulgence. It temporarily excites the mind, ...
but the aftereffect is exhaustion, prostration, paralysis of the mental,
moral, and physical powers. The mind becomes enervated, and
unless through determined effort the habit is overcome, the activity
of the brain is permanently lessened.—
Christian Temperance and
Bible Hygiene, 34
.
Effects of All Caffeine Drinks
—The action of coffee and many
other popular drinks is similar. The first effect is exhilarating. The
nerves of the stomach are excited; these convey 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. Fatigue is forgotten;
the strength seems to be increased. The intellect is aroused, the
imagination becomes more vivid.—
The Ministry of Healing, 326
.
By this continual course of indulgence of appetite the natural
vigor of the constitution becomes gradually and imperceptibly im-
paired. If we would preserve a healthy action of all the powers of the
system, nature must not be forced to unnatural action. Nature will
stand at her post of duty, and do her work wisely and efficiently, if