Ellen White's Hot Drinks

By Dirk Anderson, May, 2024

One of Ellen White's health rules that nearly all modern Seventh-day Adventists ignore is her prohibition on hot drinks. In 1885, in one of her testimonies that she supposedly received from God for the SDA people, she wrote: "Hot drinks are debilitating to the stomach."¹ A year earlier she had called them enslaving and debilitating, warning that they should not be drunk with foods:

Hot drinks are debilitating; and besides, those who indulge in their use become slaves to the habit. Food should not be washed down; no drink is needed with meals.²

She explained how hot drinks and hot food enfeebled the organs of the body:

The stomach is greatly injured by a large quantity of hot food and hot drink. Thus the throat and digestive organs, and through them the other organs of the body, are enfeebled.³

Is this true? Does hot food and hot drink injure and enfeeble the stomach and other organs?

Blistering Attacks Against Tea and Coffee

Mrs. White regarded tea and coffee as the most dangerous of hot drinks. She said drinking them was a "sin."⁴ She believed these drinks "loosened" tongues at social events to start gossiping.⁵ She called tea "harmful" and claimed it would "injure the digestive organs and weaken the brain power."⁶ In one testimony she wrote:

Tea is poisonous to the system. Christians should let it alone. The influence of coffee is in a degree the same as tea. The effect upon the system is still worse.⁷

She wrote that tea and coffee cause "diseases of every stripe and type" and they would ruin "the physical, mental, and moral powers."⁸ The SDA sect has never produced any substantive evidence to support this outlandish and obviously false statement.

Tea and Coffee are Narcotics?

In 1896, Ellen White labelled tea and coffee as narcotics. She wrote that SDAs should educate people "to refuse all narcotics—tea, coffee, fermented wines, and stimulants of all kinds, and to discard the flesh of dead animals.⁹ This quote was published verbatim in Counsels on Diets and Foods and other books after her death. It seems that Ellen White was unaware that black tea and coffee are not narcotics. While they both contain the stimulant caffeine, they do not have the same properties as narcotics. Narcotics are substances that dull the senses and relieve pain, often leading to sedation or euphoria. They typically include opioids like morphine, heroin, and certain prescription pain medications. Caffeine, on the other hand, is a central nervous system stimulant. It can lead to increased heart rate and a boost in mental alertness, but it does not have the sedative or pain-relieving effects associated with narcotics.

What About Bran Coffee?

Bran coffee is a coffee substitute made from roasted wheat bran. It is naturally caffeine-free, making it suitable for people who want to avoid caffeine. It is also high in fiber and contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It has long been considered a healthy alternative for people seeking to reduce their caffeine intake or increase fiber in their diet. Surprisingly, Mrs. White forbid her staff from using hot drinks such as bran coffee:

I told my girls I did not wish them to get accustomed to drinking hot drinks with their food as it was debilitating to the stomach. Sarah, the one who did my work, had given them warm drinks until I told her it was contrary to my custom, and I forbade her giving the children—any of them—hot drinks. When she called for hot bran coffee, Sister McNimme said she was told not to give any of the girls hot drinks.¹⁰

There is no evidence that bran coffee is debilitating to the stomach. On the contrary, there is significant evidence it is beneficial to the digestive system:

Promotes Regular Bowel Movements - Dietary fiber adds bulk to the stool, which can help maintain regular bowel movements and prevent constipation.
Supports Gut Health - Fiber acts as a prebiotic, providing food for beneficial gut bacteria. A healthy gut microbiome is essential for proper digestion.
Helps Manage Digestive Disorders - A diet high in fiber can help manage and prevent certain digestive disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and diverticulosis, by regulating bowel function and reducing the risk of flare-ups.
Aids in Weight Management - Fiber-rich foods and drinks like bran coffee can promote a feeling of fullness, which may help control appetite and support weight management, indirectly benefiting digestion by preventing overeating.
Lowers the Risk of Digestive Cancers - Regular consumption of dietary fiber is associated with a lower risk of developing colorectal cancer, as it helps move waste through the digestive system more efficiently.

Why did Ellen White, a supposed prophet of God, refuse to allow her workers to ingest bran coffee, which may have benefited their digestive health? Ellen White's rant against bran coffee is yet another evidence that her health teachings were not divinely inspired but were the product of her own misguided understanding.

Contradicts Her Own Testimonies

As was her habitual practice, Mrs. White's behavior was contrary to her own testimonies, indicating she had little faith or belief they actually came from God. She and her family drank hot drinks frequently and regularly, including drinking them with meals:

1873 - "We had hot water to drink with our cold crackers." (Manuscript 12, Oct. 23, 1873 at Walling's Mills)
1875 - "...we hope to obtain a few crackers and get a cup of hot water at the next stopping place." (Letter 20, June 27, 1875 on train to Milwaukee)
1877 - "Mary has cooked Father’s breakfast over the little stove, and we have all had hot drink." (Letter 21, Oct. 11, 1877, in Nebraska)
1885 - "We only drank the hot drink out of their tiny china cups." (Manuscript 26, Oct. 26, 1885, in Grythyttehed, Sweden)
1886 - "...ordered hot drink to our room." (Letter 84a, Sep. 16, 1886 in Great Grimsby, England)
1887 - "We tried to counteract the coldness of throat, lungs, and stomach with hot drink." (Manuscript 31, May 13, 1887, on a train in Switzerland)
1887 - "Ate a couple of crackers and took hot drink for our dinner." (Manuscript 33, June 8, 1887 in Copenhagen, Denmark)
1888 - "I do not use tea, either green or black...except when crossing the ocean, and once since on this side I took it as a medicine when I was sick and vomiting." (Letter 12, 1888)
1890 - "Brother Hicks provided hot water for me to drink before retiring." (Manuscript 44, Oct. 30, 1890 in Brooklyn, New York)
1890 - "We tried to get a cup of hot drink." (Manuscript 53, Dec. 29, 1890, in Washington)
1890 - "Stepped into a restaurant across the street and called for warm drink—hot water and milk—and were refreshed. (Manuscript 53, Dec. 30, 1890, in Battle Creek)
1891 - "...we obtained a cup of hot drink and some crackers which made us feel very much better." (Letter 32, Jan. 8, 1891, in Toledo)
1891 - "I ate a few crackers and a biscuit and drank a hot cup of drink." (Manuscript 40, Jan. 16, 1891, in Lansing, Michigan)
1903 - "...we were glad to have a warm room and hot water to drink." (Manuscript 174, July 5, 1903, in St. Helena)

How many SDAs carefully followed her testimonies and refused to drink hot drinks? How many suffered the chills of frosty weather and avoided the simple remedy of hot drinks out of fear they might "debilitate" their stomachs? How many SDAs suffered eating dry food that caked to the roof of their mouths but refused to drink any liquid with their meals because of her testimonies? Meanwhile, she and her family routinely ignored her testimonies and drank hot drinks to warm up their bodies and make eating crackers easier.

While warning others of the dangers of "hot" soup, Ellen White ate it and served it to others:

1880 - "This morning was exceedingly cold but with our hot chicken soup we were excellently provided for." (Letter 7, Feb. 27, 1880, on a train near Ogden, Utah)
1898 - "...we gave them a dish of good, hot vegetable soup." (Manuscript 183, June 14, 1898, at Sunnyside, Australia)

Are Hot Drinks Bad for Health?

One must wonder why the SDA sect has never warned world health authorities of this heaven-sent message about the dangers of hot foods and drinks. Interestingly, SDA hospitals all over the world serve hot food and hot drinks to their patients every day. Why would they give their patients something so debilitating to health? Advent Health's visitor page says the hospital offers "a diverse assortment of meal options including breakfast fare, sandwiches, soups..."¹¹ Here is a picture of their menu showing hot dishes (including meat) and hot soups:

It is apparent that SDA health institutions are ignoring her health testimonies about hot food and drinks.

Obviously, no one is suggesting that scalding hot drinks—those that burn the flesh—are healthy. No one needs a "testimony" to realize scalding drinks are harmful. But what about normal hot drinks that virtually everyone living in a cold environment drinks? Healthline reported in 2024 that "drinking hot water is considered safe":

When drinking hot beverages, research recommends an optimal temperature of between 130 and 160°F (54 and 71°C).¹²

That is based an actual scientific research. The latest medical knowledge suggests that hot drinks can have several positive effects on the stomach and the body.

Stimulation of Digestive Enzymes: Hot drinks, especially warm water or herbal teas, can stimulate the production of digestive enzymes in the stomach, aiding in digestion. This can potentially help with the breakdown of food and absorption of nutrients.
Relaxation of Stomach Muscles: Warm beverages may help relax the muscles in the stomach and intestines, which can alleviate symptoms of indigestion and promote smoother digestion.
Increased Blood Flow: Consuming hot drinks can lead to a temporary increase in blood flow to the stomach, which may promote better nutrient absorption and overall digestive function.
Relief from Respiratory Symptoms: Hot drinks like herbal teas, broths, or hot water with lemon and honey can provide temporary relief from respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, cough, and congestion by soothing the throat and thinning mucus.
Antioxidant Benefits: Certain hot drinks, such as green tea and herbal teas, are rich in antioxidants that help protect the body from oxidative stress and inflammation, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.
Mood Enhancement: Enjoying a hot beverage can have a comforting and relaxing effect, which may help reduce stress and improve mood.
Warmth and Comfort: Especially during cold weather or when feeling under the weather, hot drinks can provide warmth and comfort, promoting relaxation and a sense of well-being.

Even Mrs. White once admitted that drinking hot water helped heal a man suffering from stomach pains:

They advised him to drink hot water in abundance whenever the [stomach] pains returned. He afterwards told them that he did this, and had no more trouble. We thank the Lord for this.¹³

Conclusion

One of the BIG myths about Ellen White was that she was "years ahead of science." In reality, she was "years behind science." Many SDAs continue to follow the outdated and incorrect health rules in her testimonies thinking this instruction came from God. How many have missed out on the benefits of hot drinks because of her false teaching?

Ellen White deplores science that contradicts revelation, calling it "guesswork":

...whatever in the teaching of so-called science contradicts the truth of God's revelation is mere human guesswork.¹⁴

If this statement is true, then there are only two possible explanations for Mrs. White's testimonies on the danger of hot drinks:

Mrs. White's testimonies were a true revelation and science is wrong about hot drinks
—OR—
Mrs. White's testimonies are false, uninspired, mere guesswork, and were ignored by both her and her followers who pick and choose which testimonies to follow.

You decide.

Citations

1. Ellen White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2 (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1885), 68.

2. Ellen White, Review and Herald, July 29, 1884.

3. Ellen White, Letter 14, 1901 (16LtMs).

4. Ellen White, Bible Echo, Sep. 18, 1899. See also Manuscript 44, 1896.

5. Ellen White, Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene (Battle Creek, MI: Good Health Publishing Co., 1890), 36.

6. Ellen White, Manuscript 113, 1901.

7. Ellen White, Testimony for the Church No. 15, 1868.

8. Ellen White, Manuscript 22, 1887.

9. Ellen White, Manuscript 44, 1896. This same quote appeared in the Counsels on Diets and Foods (1938), p. 281, Temperance (1949), p. 88, and Selected Messages Book 2, p. 283. Perhaps an astute editor noticed the problem, because when a similar quote was published the following year, the dash was replaced with a comma: "to discard all narcotics, tea, coffee, fermented wines, and stimulants of all kinds, and the flesh of dead animals." (Ellen White, Healthful Living (Battle Creek, MI: Medical Missionary Board, 1897), 246).

10. Ellen White, Letter 20, 1882 (July).

11. https://www.adventhealth.com/hospital/adventhealth-orlando/visitor-resources, as of Aug. 12, 2024. Menu was extracted from the same web site on the same date.

12. Kathryn Watson and Daniel Potter, "10 Benefits of Drinking Hot Water," Healthline, Feb. 8, 2024. https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-drinking-hot-water.

13. Ellen White, Letter 154, 1897.

14. Ellen White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8 (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1904), 325.