Let’s be real: the Word of Wisdom is a health code from the Doctrine and Covenants. It’s all about avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and “hot drinks.” For years, that meant coffee and black tea were out—but green tea? That’s where things get sticky.
I started digging, because I couldn’t just trust Dave’s smug face. The official Church statement, last time I checked, is pretty clear: no caffeine isn’t the rule, but “hot drinks” are defined as coffee and tea—period. Green tea is tea, so technically, it’s on the no-fly list.
But hold up. Green tea extract? That’s the concentrated stuff in pills and powders. It’s not even a drink—it’s a supplement. So are we really talking about the same thing? (I can hear Dave’s eye roll from here.)
The Great “Technically” Debate
Look, I’m not here to argue theology. I’m here to sip my tea and wonder out loud. The Word of Wisdom says “hot drinks” are for the “stomach and not for the body.” But green tea extract is usually cold in a capsule—does that loophole it? Or is it the caffeine in the leaf that’s the problem?
Here’s the irony: the Church’s own Deseret News has run articles saying green tea extract might be okay for health reasons. But then again, they also sell food and drinks without caffeine. So where’s the line drawn? (Spoiler: it’s blurry, like a foggy morning in the Himalayas.)
A friend of mine, a bishop no less, told me he takes green tea extract for his cholesterol. He said, “The spirit of the law is about what’s healthful, not about avoiding every leaf from China.” I nearly hugged him. Then I asked if he’d ever tried matcha. He walked away.
The Complete Guide to Green Tea Extract – Beyond the Hype
