1 . With low or no-carbohydrate diets rising in popularity in recent times, the potato is now regularly overlooked in favour of other vegetables. In fact, research literature has previously indicated potatoes may have a detrimental effect on health, such as increasing the possibility of developing Type2 diabetes(糖尿病).
However, new research done by Edith Cowan University (ECU) has shown while potatoes may not have all the same benefits as some other vegetables, such as lowering risk of Type 2 diabetes, health issues associated with potatoes may actually be due to how people are preparing them and what they’re eating them with.
A recent analysis of this study led by Dr Nicola Bondonno from ECU’s Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute found people who consumed the most vegetables were 21 percent less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those who consumed the least amount of vegetables. PhD candidate Pratik Pokharel carried out work on the analysis and said while potatoes didn’t have the same impact on Type 2 diabetes, they also didn’t have any negative effect.
“In Denmark, people consume potatoes prepared in many different ways. In our study, we could distinguish between the different preparation methods. When we separated boiled potatoes from mashed potatoes(土豆泥), fries or crisps, boiled potatoes were no longer associated with a higher risk of diabetes: They had a zero effect,” said Pokharel.
“In our study, people who ate the most potatoes also consumed more butter, red meat and soft drinks-foods known to increase your risk of Type 2 diabetes,” said Pokharel. “We should separate potatoes from other vegetables in regard to messaging about disease prevention but replacing refined grains such as white rice and pasta(意大利面食)with potatoes can improve your diet quality because of fibre and other nutrients found in potatoes.”
1. What does the underlined word “detrimental” in paragraph 1 mean?| A．Magical. | B．Protective. | C．Fantastic. | D．Negative. |
| A．The effects they have caused. | B．The ways they are consumed. |
| C．The places where they are planted. | D．The results previous studies have shown. |
| A．Fries. | B．Crisps. | C．Boiled potatoes. | D．Mashed potatoes. |
| A．Critical. | B．Opposed. | C．Indifferent. | D．Objective. |
2 . Can energy drinks really make you energetic? A survey, by Cancer Council Australia among more than 9000 students across the country, found teenagers who were bitten by the energy drinks bug and drank energy drinks at least once a day were twice as likely to get less than eight hours’ sleep on school night than those who didn’t.
The same survey found one in six teenagers take in at least 5.2kg of sugar each year from sugary drinks alone. “This can lead to weight gain and obesity, increasing the risk of heart and kidney disease, type2 diabetes, stroke and some cancers,” Mr Sinclair said, who led the survey. Craig Sinclair, head of Rethink Sugary Drink, said the levels of sugar in energy drinks are very high, causing teenagers to put on weight.
The survey also found the caffeine (咖啡因) levels of the drinks is also high and this could explain the survey results on their effect on teenage sleep. Energy drinks contain 160mg of caffeine, more than twice as much as a cup of coffee or a 500ml bottle of cola, Mr Sinclair said. The Sleep Health Foundation says teenagers need 8-10 hours of sleep, more than an adult, because their bodies and cognition are growing rapidly. Sleep is important for teen mental health and the US Sleep Foundation says shortage of sleep can contribute to acne, bad behaviour and unhealthy eating habits. Associate Professor Matthew Hopcraft from the Australian Dental Association Victoria said energy drinks are also a major contributing factor to tooth decay and tooth erosion.
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital heart doctor Professor Chris Semsarian has tested the effects of energy drinks on the heart and said they can lead to an increased heart rate and irregular heart beat. “Caffeine is not the only stimulant (兴奋剂) part of these drinks, most also have guarana which is also a stimulant,” he said. Energy drinks have been related to scores of deaths around the world because of their high caffeine content.
1. What does the underlined phrase “bitten by the energy drink bug”?| A．Tired of energy drinks. | B．Equipped with energy drinks. |
| C．Fascinated by energy drinks. | D．Attacked by an insect in energy drinks. |
| A．The high levels of caffeine. | B．The high levels of sugar. |
| C．The high levels of alcohol. | D．The shortage of exercise. |
| A．They can bring about decreased heart rate. |
| B．They can result in blood pressure rising. |
| C．They can lead to heart stopping working. |
| D．They can contribute to heart beating irregularly. |
| A．Energy Drinks’ Functions | B．Energy Drinks’ Harmful Effects |
| C．Energy Drinks’ Effect on Sleep | D．Different Opinions of Energy Drinks |
