Is Sugar Really the Enemy of Health?
There have been a few moments in my life when I effortlessly reached my ideal weight and felt truly in shape. One of those times, surprisingly, was during the months I spent writing my dissertation—a season filled with stress, long hours, and intense mental effort.
Because I was using my brain nonstop, I naturally gravitated toward foods that kept me alert and energized without dragging me down. I often sipped hot, sugary drinks throughout the day—rotating between coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. For snacks, I reached for chocolate bars and other sweet treats.
Oddly enough, instead of gaining weight, I started to slim down. My jeans fit better, I dropped a size or two, and people began to compliment me on my appearance. I felt lighter, clearer, and even healthier overall.
Still, despite seeing no negative effects, I eventually returned to my old sugar-free, macrobiotic lifestyle. Back then, I believed sugar was something to avoid at all costs—it was what I had been taught.
But even with my supposedly healthy diet, my well-being wasn’t all that impressive. I developed vague, lingering symptoms, my menstrual pain persisted, and I went through periods of depression. I kept searching for answers, but the solutions I found were always expensive, complex, and confusing—wrapped in layers of "health" advice that often contradicted itself.
Most of the mainstream information I came across painted common supermarket ingredients—like meat, salt, and especially sugar—as enemies of health. I tried to follow all the “natural” advice. Instead of white sugar, I used brown sugar, maple syrup, or rice syrup, as recommended in macrobiotics. But even those were often deemed harmful, so I relied more and more on grains for carbohydrates.
Eventually, I stumbled across the RAPT blog, a site run by a Christian that explored both spiritual truth and worldly deception. At the time, I still identified as an atheist, so I focused only on the informational content. But over time, I came to see that the depth of wisdom in those articles wasn’t just intellectual—it was spiritual. It came from God.
That’s when everything started to change. I was stunned to learn that the macrobiotic diet, which I had trusted for years, wasn’t scientifically sound. In fact, it can lead to serious long-term health issues. Even more disturbing was learning that it has roots in ideologies opposed to God—ideologies tied to deception, and even devil worship. (More on that here)
The Truth About Sugar
The belief that “sugar is bad” largely stems from the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), which have influenced global dietary guidelines and made people feel guilty about enjoying sweets. According to these guidelines, only a very small amount of sugar is considered acceptable for daily consumption.
But if we listen to our own bodies, we know something different. When we're exhausted or feeling weak, our natural cravings turn toward salt and sugar—two substances that have long been part of human survival.
Amid this widespread fear of sugar, the RAPT blog boldly revealed an alternative view: not only is sugar not inherently harmful, it’s actually essential for health.
Glucose is a vital nutrient. It provides energy for red blood cells, the kidney medulla, and specific muscle tissues. Even more importantly, sugar is the brain’s only source of fuel. Cutting it out completely can be extremely dangerous—especially when we consider how critical brain health is to our overall well-being.
Source: RAPT Plus Alpha article on sugar
RAPT Nakamura teaches that proper brain function is foundational to a healthy and fulfilling life. And in order to think clearly and live righteously, we need not only spiritual nourishment, but also physical support—starting with the right fuel for our brains.
Related article on brain health and thought life
Unlike many traditional religious approaches that drift toward vague spiritualism or asceticism, RAPT-san presents a clear, logical perspective. He teaches the importance of caring for our physical bodies as a vital part of our faith and purpose—grounding that teaching in both biblical truth and practical wisdom.
The Body as the Foundation for Spiritual Growth
RAPT-san teaches that if our body is unhealthy, it will be difficult to have a healthy mind and spirit, and he invites us to take good care of our bodies. (Source)
Our physical health plays a foundational role in our spiritual growth. The body is like a womb that nourishes and supports the development of the spiritual body. If the physical foundation is weak, it becomes much harder to cultivate the inner life God intends for us.
Unlike the overwhelming flood of health advice in the world—“Don’t eat this,” “This will make you sick”—God’s revelation is clear and simple. We are free to enjoy food and be nourished by it, as long as we avoid substances that are clearly harmful, such as alcohol, tobacco, food additives, and soft drinks.
Seeing Through Satan’s Lies
RAPT-san also teaches that true love and truth come only from God. And the more we walk in His truth, the more we experience real joy, peace, and gratitude. (Source)
By contrast, Satan feeds us lies—especially about health and life. To live a fulfilling life in line with God’s purpose, we must learn to discern between God’s truth and the enemy’s deception.
Scripture warns us that, in the last days, false teachings will arise—commanding people to abstain from certain foods. As it says in 1 Timothy 4:1–5, these teachings are not from God, and we must not be deceived. I see clear evidence of this prophecy today in the growing fear-driven narratives around food, especially the demonization of sugar.
Ironically, these fear-based “health” teachings often lead to poor health themselves. In my case, once I reintroduced sugar into my diet—something inexpensive and easy to find—I experienced dramatic improvements. I no longer suffer from brain fog, depression, or vague physical ailments. I haven’t had cavities, and I show no signs of diabetes or obesity. My mind is clearer, and my body feels lighter.
That’s why I find this trend of food fear-mongering so troubling.
Living Wisely with Limited Resources
Our time, money, and energy are limited. If we want to live healthy, productive, and successful lives, we must use these resources wisely. Life is made up of daily choices, and the best choices are those rooted in God’s wisdom and truth. (Source)
When I began to truly listen to this teaching, I realized how much of my time, energy, and money I had wasted on unnecessary health products and misinformation. God’s truth isn’t just abstract—it’s deeply practical. It’s a roadmap for living well.
If we follow the wisdom of our all-knowing, all-powerful God, our lives will bear the fruit of continual growth, peace, and blessing. (Source)
Testimonies and Personal Experience
Many people have shared how eating sugar as needed helps manage hunger and fatigue—reducing the urge to overeat or snack excessively. (Source)
Others testify that by eating sensibly, including generous amounts of sugar, and grounding their lives in faith, they’ve experienced dramatic health improvements. Conditions like PMS and menstrual pain have disappeared altogether. (Source)
One added blessing is the joy of cooking and eating without the burden of conflicting or fear-based health rules. When you’re no longer bound by misinformation, food becomes something to enjoy again. (Source)
Speaking from my own experience, regularly consuming sugar has brought several benefits. I’m able to concentrate for long hours at my desk because I can quickly and efficiently replenish my energy. I eat smaller, more satisfying portions, which puts less strain on my digestive system. And as a result, I find myself enjoying meals so much more.
Conclusion: God’s Simple, Abundant Design
God created this earth for us—so that we could live joyful, abundant, and fulfilling lives. We were not made to serve the earth, but to flourish on it.
Yet the enemy has worked hard to distract us from that truth. We’ve been told we are no better than animals, that we should feel guilty for using the resources God lovingly provided. These lies have only made life more complicated—and in many cases, more harmful.
The RAPT blog has helped me see clearly how God’s thoughts and intentions are revealed through the Bible. True wisdom and knowledge aren’t scattered across conflicting health theories; they’re found in God’s truth.
We no longer need to suffer under fear, guilt, or confusion. The truth really does set us free.
As you read this, my hope is that you’ll discover the true happiness, peace, and joy that come from living in the love and wisdom of God.
