Some Words Of Wisdom About Hot Drinks

 Even those of you that are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (hereinafter, "LDS Church") probably are aware that members of the LDS Church are commanded not to use illegal drugs, smoke or use other tobacco products, or drink alcoholic beverages, coffee or tea (actual tea; herbal teas are permitted). These prohibitions come from what is commonly referred to as the "Word of Wisdom". 

    The Word of Wisdom doesn't specifically reference coffee or tea, but instead simply states: "And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly." This was interpreted as meaning coffee or tea because those were the hot drinks commonly consumed at the time the Word of Wisdom was promulgated. As one article on the subject relates:

    There’s one source that ties this interpretation back to Joseph Smith himself. I’m inclined to believe it’s accurate, based on what Hyrum is teaching, but it’s a later recollection, so do with it what you will. This is what Joel H. Johnson wrote in 1881:

    “I well remember that soon after the publication of the Word of Wisdom, the same excuse was made, by some of the people, for drinking tea and coffee that is now made— that hot drinks did not mean tea and coffee. On a Sabbath day, in the July following the giving of the revelation, when both Joseph and Hyrum Smith were in the stand, the Prophet said to the Saints: ‘I understand that some of the people are excusing themselves in using tea and coffee, because the Lord only said “hot drinks” in the revelation of the Word of Wisdom. The Lord was showing us what was good for man to eat and drink. Now, what do we drink when we take our meals? Tea and coffee. Is it not? Yes; tea and coffee. Then, they are what the Lord meant when He said “hot drinks.”’ Brother Hyrum Smith spoke to the same effect.”

    Tea and coffee are also specifically mentioned in some 1837 meeting minutes, where Joseph Smith was present, and in this 1839 book written by the former member, John Corrill.

    In an 1871 discourse, Brigham Young said, “I have heard it argued that tea and coffee are not mentioned in the Word of Wisdom; that is very true; but what were the people in the habit of taking as hot drinks when that revelation was given? Tea and coffee. We were not in the habit of drinking water very hot, but tea and coffee—the beverages in common use.” 

Nevertheless, there has been substantial debate among members over the years (particularly in private) over why coffee and tea and not other hot drinks. For instance, when I was a child and even into my teens, it was commonly believed (and taught by many members) that the prohibition was because of caffeine being found in coffee and tea. This led to certain absurd results, with some members arguing that it was okay to drink decaffeinated coffee because it lacked caffeine; and others arguing that colas and other caffeinated sodas were prohibited. The latter even rose to the level of official policy in Japan, where I served a mission, to the extent that drinking a Coke could prevent you from obtaining a "temple recommend" (permission to enter the LDS temples). While I was there, however, the Church authorities in Salt Lake finally acted to put a stop to that. Nevertheless, there are still a substantial number of members that hold to the belief that the prohibition is related to caffeine to the extent that caffeinated sodas are not sold in vending machines at church facilities. One of the more interesting examples to me is that Barq's Root Beer typically contains caffeine, but those bottled or canned in Utah are caffeine free. (Living in southwest Idaho, stores will sometimes stock Barq's from Washington and sometimes from Utah, depending, I suppose, on what was available or the cheapest to purchase). 

    As for myself, I've long believed the key to understanding the meaning is the use of the term "hot drinks," reasoning that if God had intended coffee and tea he would have said so. So it is with interest when I started noting the occasional article about the dangers posed by drinking too hot of drinks, particular the growing evidence linking such practices to cancers of the throat.  The most recent is a Daily Mail article entitled: "How you drink your morning coffee could increase your risk of cancer by up to SIX times." It reports:

     A study published earlier this year by researchers from the National Cancer Institute found that someone who drank eight or more cups a day of very hot tea or coffee was 5.6 times more likely to develop esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), compared to someone who didn't drink hot drinks.

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     Having up to four cups of 'very hot' liquids a day increased the risk of ESCC by 2.5 times. Four to six cups of very hot liquids carried a 3.7-times higher risk of the cancer, and six to eight cups was associated with 4.8-fold increased risk. 

    For hot beverages, up to four cups a day carried an increased risk of 1.6 times. Four to six cups a day was associated with an increased cancer risk of two times; six to eight cups carried a 2.5-fold higher risk; and more than eight was associated with a three-times higher risk.

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     The ideal brewing temperature for coffee is generally between 195 to 205F. For tea, the optimal brewing temperature varies by type, but is often around 175 to 212F. 

    This places hot beverages in the same risk category as things like emissions from indoor wood smoke or consuming high amounts of red meat.

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     According to one study in 2018, the ideal temperature for drinking coffee, taking into account both the risk of esophageal injury and the preservation of flavor, was found to be approximately 136F. 

    Researchers said this temperature allows for a pleasant drinking experience while minimizing potential harm to the esophagus. 

    Offering some other tips to safe drinking, Professor Ho adds: 'Slow down, take your time and enjoy.

    'Allowing time for a very hot drink to cool is important and research has shown a hot drink’s temperature can drop by 50F to 59F in five minutes.

    'Finally, small sips are a good idea to test the temperature, given we know having a large amount has a significant impact on the temperature inside the esophagus and potential damage to its lining.'

 So it appears that the reason that the Word of Wisdom said "hot drinks" is because it meant "hot drinks". While we are stuck with the "coffee and tea" interpretation for now--I don't see the LDS Church allowing members to drink iced teas or coffees within my lifetime--that doesn't mean that we can't exercise common sense and refrain from drinking scalding hot cups of cocoa/hot chocolate or herbal teas. Let it cool off, add a bit of ice, or whatever, and enjoy a warming, not hot, drink.