John Harvey Kellogg created corn flakes in large part with the goal of reducing people's sex drives and thereby preventing them from masturbating and participating in excessive sexual activity. Kellogg, a well respected doctor at the time, believed that masturbation specifically caused many adverse health effects of both a physical and mental nature. He likewise believed that a bland, vegetarian-based diet would be the best means for accomplishing a reduction of these activities. It is believed that his stance on the matter was in large part influenced by his family's extensive involvement with the 7th day Adventist church.