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Which claim is not supported by the text? A. While drinking too little water is problematic, drinking too much can also cause health problems. B. Many common health problems can be attributed to a deficiency of important nutrients. C. Poor

So often our decisions about what to eat are based solely on taste. If food stayed only on the tongue, this would make sense. But food is life. Its purpose is to provide the body with what it needs to grow, move, heal, fight infection or disease, and it even helps us think clearly. The human body is a complex organism that requires several types of nutrients to function properly, including proteins, carbohydrates, fats and oils, vitamins and minerals, and water. Too little of any of these can cause a system failure in one way or another—if not immediately, then certainly over a lifetime.

Take carbohydrates, the body’s fuel. They help the body maintain the proper blood sugar level. Without carbohydrates, your energy quickly dwindles. Luckily, there are carbohydrates in nearly every type of grain, bean, vegetable, fruit, and dairy product. For most people, it is easy to get enough of the sugars carbohydrates provide. However, certain carbohydrates also provide fiber, which is essential to keeping things moving through your digestive tract. Whole grains (such as oats, whole wheat flour, and brown rice) are rich in fiber; unfortunately, breads, pastas, and pastries made with white, highly refined flour are more common, cheaper, and to many, taste better than whole grains. If you eat mainly white breads, you may not be getting enough fiber to ensure good health. A poorly functioning digestive tract may only give you a stomachache today, but over the long-term, toxins that are not eliminated can cause disease and interfere with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.

The human body can survive on meager nutrition—for a while. Eventually, however, the lack of nutrients will take its toll. Vitamins and minerals support all vital systems in the body, including circulation, digestion, and immunity, as well as brain functions such as concentration, memory, and the ability to cope with stress. In general, the best sources of these essential nutrients are vegetables and fruits, especially those grown in mineral-rich soil and eaten shortly after harvesting. Canned and processed fruits and vegetables contain a fraction of their original nutrition, but to some, taste delicious, often due to added sugar and salt. In the U.S., many people are used to a diet where vegetables are often only a side dish; fruit is usually served sugared as a dessert. Many experts say people should eat mostly fruits and vegetables. Besides helping to ensure you get essential vitamins and minerals, eating fruits and vegetables also provides your body with another vital nutrient: water.

Water is necessary to every function in the body, delivering nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and other essentials where they are needed. It helps dissolve food, facilitates chemical reactions in the brain, and takes toxins and other waste out of the body. Without any water, you will die in a few days; partial dehydration will cause joint pain, fatigue, inability to concentrate, weakness, headaches, digestive problems, frequent illness—water is so vital to life that a shortage can cause endless problems in the body. As with other deficiencies, negative effects will compound over time, leading to a worsening of health problems. Water is boring compared to soda: it’s not sweet, contains no caffeine boost, and does not fizz in your mouth. But drinking enough of it can save you a lifetime of pain and suffering.

Taking care of the body’s nutritional needs rather than pleasing the tongue should become your primary reason for choosing the foods and beverages you consume. You do not need to become a health fanatic or deprive yourself of what you enjoy. You do, however, need to make sensible decisions based on an understanding of how your body works—that is, if you want to be healthy, pain-free, and energetic throughout your life. Getting older does not have to mean getting sicker. And food that is good for you can also be delicious.

Assessment Technology, Inc. 2010


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from "You Become What You Eat"

Which claim is not supported by the text?
A.
While drinking too little water is problematic, drinking too much can also cause health problems.
B.
Many common health problems can be attributed to a deficiency of important nutrients.
C.
Poor memory can result from insufficient intake of vitamins and minerals.
D.
Improper elimination of toxins is a cause of disease.
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A. While drinking too little water is problematic, drinking too much can also cause health problems.