Health Matters: Sugar

From the smallest child to the aged, sugar is one of the most addictive pleasures that we as a people seem so unable to eliminate from our diet. What are we doing to the temple which God has given us to use for Him in His service?

First let us review what God in His great mercy revealed to Ellen White in order to prepare a people to stand before Him, a perfect people without blemish.

“Sugar clogs the system. It hinders the working of the living machine.” CDF 327. “The free use of sugar in any form tends to clog the system, and is not unfrequently a cause of disease.” CDF 197. “Sugar is not good for the stomach. It causes fermentation, and this clouds the brain and brings peevishness into the disposition.” CDF 327. From the Natural Health Bulletin is quoted, “If we jailed sugar instead of criminals, we might well have less crime in our society.” This study was done by a group of food-behaviour specialists in Los Angeles County, headed by Dr. Bernard Mason of the County Task Force on nutrition and behaviour. Theyreported that a change from sugary “junk” food to “health food” helped control criminal tendencies. Basic Rule: “As little sugar as possible for the imprisoned,” says Dr. Mason. “The reason is that we believe it is responsible for many bizarre behavioural attitudes—even homicidal and suicidal.” He explains that 90% of criminals in custody have hypoglycemia, low blood sugar, because of the modern junk foods, alcohol and drugs that most criminals are on. Dr. Mason made a diet change among the confined. No soft drinks and french fries were given. Instead, the inmates were given raw zucchini, fresh fruit, broccoli, apples, bananas, peaches, and yogurt. Cooks were instructed how to use tofu in combination with brown rice, spaghetti, and meatless enchiladas. Dr. Mason reports, “There has been a change in the actions and attitudes of the criminals, leading to increased stability, a more cooperative attitude, and a willingness to improve their lives.” He feels it was the “no sugar” rule, which resulted in correcting their hypoglycemia, that led to reduced mental disturbance and less crime.

According to a Scottish study conducted by G. Hems from the Department of Community Medicine, Forester hill, Aberdeen, we read that “women who eat less refined sugar, less total fat, less animal protein, and fewer animal calories have the best chance of avoiding breast cancer.” He analyzed breast cancer rates in relation to child-bearing, various differences in diet, and other factors in forty-one countries. For the first time, sugar was implicated as a possible cancer-causing substance.

When we refer back to God’s original diet for the human race, we find that “Adam and Eve came forth from the hand of their Creator in the perfection of every physical, mental, and spiritual endowment. God planted for them a garden, and surrounded them with everything that was lovely and attractive to the eye, which their physical necessities required… A benevolent Creator had given them evidences of His goodness and love in providing them with fruits, vegetables, and grains, and causing to grow out of the ground every variety of tree for usefulness and beauty.” Confrontation, p. 10. God created us with taste buds that we might enjoy the food we eat, but we have perverted those taste buds. Can they ever be normal again? Give God a chance, and you will see that in a short time those abnormal cravings cease and there will be true enjoyment in eating wholesome, unrefined, and nutritious food.

Christ is soon to return to take His faithful ones home. Forever remember that, “True conversion to the message of present truth embraces conversion to the principles of health reform.” Letter 62, 1909
AMEN.