1. The white death:
Quit sugar in 7 days.
Why sugar?
In classical Persian medicine, food and drink always had a temperament (mizaj).
Sugar was considered:
Unnaturally concentrated – taken from sugar cane or beets and turned into a crystal the body did not really recognize.
Sweet, cold and moist in excess – which disturbed the body's balance.
A poison in the long run – physicians wrote that “whoever lives on sugar becomes tired, swollen and loses their inner fire.”
The consequences according to Persian medicine: the classical texts described that sugar in large amounts could cause:
“Cold blood” – fatigue, pale skin, weak digestion.
“A swollen body” – fluid retention, drowsiness, weight problems.
“A weak liver” – reduced energy, poor appetite.
“A dull brain” – slow thinking, mood swings.
The physicians' advice
In Persian medical texts the advice was clear:
Sugar could be used in small amounts in medicinal decoctions (for example together with herbs to carry the taste). But regular and large consumption was seen as life-threatening – hence the name “the white death.”
It was better to sweeten with honey, which was considered warm, life-giving and healing. According to Persian medicine, sugar was a modern trap – beautiful, white, tempting, yet slowly destructive. Hence the comparison to a silent, white death.
The sugar that owns you hides in your breakfast, in your “healthy” smoothie, in your lunch sauce and in your evening snacks. It makes you sluggish, bloated, tired and hungry even when you have just eaten.
How to do it, day by day:
7 days without sugar – that is all it takes for you to see what it does to your face, your body and your brain.
7 days without sugar – step by step
(adapted for warm & cold bodies)
Day 1 – Clear out (crucial)
Do this:
● Empty the pantry: cereal, cookies, candy, soda, juice, fruit yogurt – all of it goes.
● Read the ingredient lists. If it says sugar, glucose, syrup or fructose → out it goes.
● Drink water, herbal tea or black coffee. No sweeteners.
Warm/Cold:
● Warm (Garm): Drink lukewarm water, chamomile or mint.
● Cold (Sard): Warm water, ginger or cinnamon tea.
Day 2 – Change your breakfast
Do this:
● No juice, no cereal.
● Choose:
○ Eggs + vegetables
○ Or warm saffron milk / warm oat milk
● When hungry: protein + fat (eggs, fish, chicken, lentils, beans).
Warm/Cold:
● Warm: More vegetables, fewer spices. ● Cold: Warm food, spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, saffron.
Day 3 – Withdrawal day
You may feel: headache, irritation, fatigue – completely normal.
Do this:
● Drink plenty of water.
● Take a calm walk.
● If you want quick energy: a handful of nuts or an egg – not chocolate.
Warm/Cold:
● Warm: Avoid coffee, choose a calming tea.
● Cold: Warm soup or broth helps a lot.
Day 4 – The mirror doesn't lie
What happens now:
● Less puffiness in the face.
● Clearer skin.
● You wake up more easily, less snoozing.
Do this:
● Eat regularly.
● Keep your blood sugar stable with protein.
Day 5 – Your energy turns
You notice:
● Brighter mornings.
● Even energy all day. ●
● No crash at 3 p.m.
● Exercise feels easier.
Do this:
● Continue exactly as on days 3–4.
● Eat when you are hungry, not when you have a craving.
Day 6 – Your new start:
● Reflect on the strong effort you have made so far. Write down how your energy has changed. Today, try a workout or a physical activity you previously did not have the energy for. You are in the driver's seat – show it in your body too!
Day 7 – Your new start:
After a week without sugar your blood sugar is more stable, and you may feel sharper focus and even energy. Today, fill up on nourishing food: vegetables, protein and water. Write down how you want to keep this balance going forward – and celebrate that you broke a habit and took back power over your body!
Results after 7 days
● A clearer face, less puffiness
● Brighter eyes
● Energy from morning to night
● Reduced appetite
● Sugar addiction broken
● A new respect for what you put in your body
Persian medicine called sugar the white death. That was not poetry. It was observation.