The Grape Juice Way
by Elaine Hruska
Obesity rates have reached epidemic proportions
in the U.S., with 58 million Americans overweight,
40 million obese, and 3 million morbidly obese. Childhood obesity as well is running
rampant: in 1994 16 percent of U.S. children were overweight compared to 4 percent
in 1982; in 2001 25 percent of white children and 33 percent of African American and
Hispanic children were overweight. What can be done to help reduce these statistics?
To control weight increase, over one hundred readings suggest “the grape juice way,
rather than any particular dieting; [and] just requiring that the body refrain from too much
sweets and starches.” (470-32) What exactly does this simple recommendation entail?
Grape Juice Intake
Instead of following a strict diet, leaving out specific foods, the readings emphasize
a more balanced approach with reductions and some elimination of food groups as
part of one’s dietary regimen. Additionally to reduce weight gain and help control
appetite one can drink diluted grape juice, taken three or four times a day, thirty
minutes before each meal (and again at bedtime). How much juice in proportion to
water varies only slightly from one reading to another—usually two or three ounces
of grape juice to one ounce of plain (not carbonated) water; or three-fourths of a glass
of juice to one-fourth of a glass of water; two-thirds grape juice to one-third water; or
one-and-a-half ounces of juice to half an ounce of water.
Exceptions include the following: For one individual the amount of water was
greater than the amount of juice: one ounce of juice to one-and-a-half ounces of water
(2514-11). A few readings suggested an equal amount, such as “four ounces of an
equal combination of grape juice and water.” (1540-1) Only one reading mentioned
mixing the juice with carbonated water (470-21).
Some individuals were advised to
drink the mixture slowly, sipping it. “Take about five to ten minutes to drink
the juice each time, see?” (1431-2)
Preparation
Just what type of grape juice do the
readings recommend? The answer is contained
in the following exchange:
“(Q) Is it important to reduce weight?
How much and by what means?
“(A) It is more important that an
equal balance be kept. As we find, the
weight may be reduced some without
disturbance; and as we find, the better
manner would be through the refraining
from breads or greases of any kind,
of course, and by the taking of Grape
Juice—preferably the juice from fresh
grapes, this prepared at the time to be
taken, three times each day…half an
hour before each meal. If the juice from
fresh grapes is found to be impractical,
then take the fresh Welch’s Grape Juice.”
(1224-3)
Another individual was advised:
“Even though the meal may consist only
of a glass of orange juice and a piece of
toast, or the like, take the grape juice thirty
minutes beforehand—and at bedtime.
Welch’s Grape Juice is preferable, unless
the fresh grapes are used—unsweetened.”
(257-217)
Over forty readings mention Welch’s
Grape Juice by name, ten of which refer
to it as “preferable” to other brands or if
freshly crushed grapes are unavailable. A
notation made at the end of reading 457-
7 summarizes Cayce’s idea of “Welch’s
Grape Juice as the purest of the more
well-known varieties on the market.”
Since preparing freshly squeezed grape
juice may not be practical, the Welch’s
brand was offered as an option: “Unless
the juice from fresh grapes is used, the
Welch’s Grape Juice is preferable.”
(2204-1) Why? Several comments from
the readings follow:
“The Welch’s…has more of the elements
in same that aid in the reduction
of the carbohydrates in the system—and
thus tends to supply the food values in a
way that is in keeping with that which
has been indicated as the purpose for taking
same.” (1309-3)
The grape juice is also “unfermented”
(459-11) and “will make for better
assimilation, better elimination, and better
conditions throughout the system.”
(2067-3)
Perhaps another nod of approval is
indicated by this exchange:
“(Q) Is the Welch grape juice prepared
without benzoate of soda?
“(A) Prepared without benzoate of
soda. Pure grape juice.” (470-19)
A Brief History of Welch’s
According to the online encyclopedia
Wikipedia, a dentist, Charles E. Welch,
gave up his practice to devote full-time to
the promotion of grape juice, founding the
Welch’s Grape Juice Company at Westfield,
Chautauqua County, in New York. The
Web site for Welch’s notes that they have
been in the grape business since 1869. The
juice is “made from freshly ripened purple
Concord grapes from Welch’s own vineyards
and contains no artificial additives,
preservatives, or sweeteners. It is also fat
free, cholesterol free, and naturally rich in
antioxidants.” (Antioxidants help support
the heart and the body’s immune system.)
Each glassful contains two servings of fruit
with 100 percent Vitamin C.
Benefits of Grape Juice
A thirty-four-year-old woman asked
Cayce why she had been advised to take grape juice for her weight problem. He
responded: “To supply the sugars without
gaining or making for greater weight.”
She followed up with another question:
“Does it really have a direct effect on the
reduction of weight?” His answer: “If it
hadn’t, would it be given?” (457-8)
The number-one cause of being overweight
is eating excess starch, and the sugars
that come from these starches are addictive,
even at the cellular level. Substituting a sugar
that does not come with the addiction
will help offset this imbalance. One reading
describes it this way:
“…if the grape juice is taken it supplies
a sugar, the kind of sugar though
that works with the system—that which is
necessary, see? and then that prevents the
system’s desire for starches and sweets in
excess. Not that these are not to be taken
at all, for they supply, of course, the necessary
heat units for the body in a great
measure; but as these would be supplied
through the taking of the grape juice, or
the eating of the grapes (if they are taken
as the regular diet, and not just occasionally),
there would only be the partaking
of others as the appetite calls for same.
When the appetite is controlled, it will
govern the necessary forces in these directions.”
(470-19)
In addition to keeping away from
meats and reducing his consumption of
pastries, a sixty-two-year-old man was
told to drink the diluted grape juice because “it will reduce the excess sugar.
Though this is sugar in the grape juice, it
is a different character and will produce
a better reaction through the alimentary
canal.” (1170-3)
Other readings simply state, “While
this [grape juice diet] will reduce the activities
through the appetite, it will supply
sufficient sugars without adding avoirdupois”
(1612-4) and “would materially
reduce the desire for foods that tend to
produce flesh.” (470-21) When the cravings
are under better control, one can
eat a more healthful diet. Reducing “the
desire for foods” (3523-1) is mentioned
several times in various readings as a benefit
of taking the grape juice.
Other healthful effects were noted in
individual readings. “[The grape juice]
will be found to prove beneficial to eliminations,
and prevent the use of or desire
for starches or sweets; and will give the
inclination for the body to keep a normal
balance in weight.” (470-19) “The taking
of the grape juice will tend to cut down
upon the sugar supplying, and thus maintain
a better body ratio throughout the
system.” (1224-6) It will “give strength to
the vitality of the resistance forces in the
body” (1183-2) and “will tend to keep
from so much rich foods.” (1170-3)
Duration and Additional
Suggestions
Once you begin drinking the grape
juice on a daily basis, how long before
you see results? Much like other dietary
regimens, one needs to be consistent as
well as persistent. One woman asked,“What length periods should the grape
juice be taken?” The reply: “At least for
a month or six weeks. Then leave it off
a while, then again after two to three
weeks, take another six weeks period.”
(1100-38) To another woman Cayce
advised, “Take this regularly for about
four weeks at a time. Then leave off for
two weeks and repeat.” (3582-1) Gladys
Davis’s note suggested to one individual
to follow the diet “regularly for several
weeks at the time, then leave off a week
or two, and repeat.” (1830-2) The readings
seem to favor applications done in
cycles. (See “Letter to the Editor” column
for further stories and comments.)
Grape juice in and of itself, of course,
cannot stand alone in reducing weight.
Scattered throughout individuals’ readings
are suggestions to receive osteopathic
manipulations, colonics, and steam baths
[to “keep down the weight as well as remove
poisons” (3413-2)]. Exercise and
nutritional advice are also important adjuncts
to dieting. One eighteen-year-old
woman’s reading stated, “Eat anything
you like, save potatoes and white bread.”
(1431-2) Others were advised: “Don’t
take pastries or pies, cake or such things, and very little or no sweets.” (3523-1)“Keep away from too much starches.
While the taking of the grape juice will,
to be sure, tend to make the desire less
for sweets, do beware of sweets—or any
that add an extra quantity of sugars to
the body…” (2921-1)
A fifty-six-year-old male was told:
“…if the Grape Juice is taken, we will
find the diet will adjust itself.” (1812-1)
Another was told: “Take Grape Juice…
Then in the matter of the diet, it will
almost care for itself; and take those
things the appetite calls for, save sweets,
chocolate or the like; not great quantities
of sugars, nor of pastries; but all other
foods, vegetables or meats, provided they
are not fats, may be taken according to
the appetite; but we will find the appetite
will change a great deal.” (1309-2)
Curbing the appetite, as mentioned
earlier, plays a major role in balancing
one’s body weight. That this simple grape
juice diet, taken on a regular basis, can
help contribute to this process may be an
incentive for those struggling with this
imbalance to add it to their regular diet
as a food, Cayce would say. The results
and benefits may be worth the effort.
© True Health Newsletter
