1How has processed meat been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)?
- Not classified as a cancer risk
- Possibly carcinogenic with weak evidence
- Carcinogenic, with strongest evidence for colorectal cancer
The IARC classified processed meat as carcinogenic to humans, its highest risk category, based largely on evidence connecting it to colorectal cancer. Learn more.
- Only linked to skin-related conditions, such as melanoma
2What did the German study of over 6,000 adults find regarding severe gum disease and kidney health?
- It was tied to lower kidney function and higher urinary protein
Severe gum disease was independently linked to reduced kidney function and elevated urinary albumin, a marker of early kidney damage, even in the early stages of chronic kidney disease. Learn more.
- It had no measurable connection to kidney health markers
- It was linked only to improved kidney filtration
- It only affected people with pre-existing kidney disease
3What mechanism did researchers propose as a possible link between visceral fat and brain changes?
- Direct physical pressure on brain tissue
- Partial blockage of blood flow to the brain, increasing risk of stroke
- Reduced production of white blood cells, affecting immune function
- Inflammatory signaling molecules like TNF-alpha and IL-6
Visceral fat secretes pro-inflammatory signaling molecules, which researchers suggest may trigger body-wide inflammation that spills over into the brain, though this remains a proposed mechanism rather than proven causation. Learn more.
4Which age group recorded the largest increase in supplement use between 1999 and 2023?
- Adults ages 20 to 39
- Adults ages 40 to 64
- Adults age 65 and older
Supplement use among adults age 65 and older rose from 62% to 78% over the study period, the largest increase of any age group tracked. Learn more.
- Adolescents under age 20
5What intensity of activity produced encouraging results across the reviewed studies?
- High-intensity interval training
- Gentle activity like walking
Walking and other low-intensity movements produced relatively consistent improvements in both memory and executive function, showing that breaking up sitting doesn’t require strenuous exercise. Learn more.
- Heavy resistance weightlifting
- Moderate endurance running
6What did a large review find regarding using zinc to prevent colds before getting sick?
- It prevented colds as effectively as antibiotics
- It was roughly as effective as a placebo
People taking zinc regularly to prevent colds were about as likely to catch one as those taking a placebo, challenging one of zinc’s most popular claims. Learn more.
- It cut cold risk in half right away
- It eliminated the need for other supplements
7What protein did the JAMA study measure in participants’ blood?
- C-reactive protein
- Phosphorylated tau 217 (p-tau217)
Researchers measured blood levels of phosphorylated tau 217, an Alzheimer’s-related protein, to determine whether it predicted future cognitive impairment. Learn more.
- Hemoglobin A1c
- Brain-derived neurotrophic factor
1Why do nitrates from vegetables appear far less concerning than those from processed meat?
- Vegetables contain almost no nitrates at all
- Vegetable nitrates come packaged with antioxidants
Vegetables deliver nitrates alongside antioxidants like vitamin C and E, which help block the formation of cancer-linked compounds, while heme iron in processed meat tends to promote that same formation. Learn more.
- Processed meat contains no nitrates whatsoever
- Vegetable nitrates are chemically different compounds
2In the meta-analysis of 52,501 Type 2 diabetes patients, which nutrient deficiency was most common?
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency was the most widespread finding, affecting 60.45% of the diabetic patients included in the analysis. Learn more.
- Iron
- Magnesium
3Which sugar-heavy condiment received a second warning alongside bacon-based toppings?
- Barbecue sauce
Sugar-heavy barbecue sauce was flagged because a daily pattern of high-sugar, ultraprocessed eating is tied to weight gain, insulin resistance, and inflammation linked to several cancers. Learn more.
- Plain, yellow mustard
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic glaze
4Besides kidney health, which condition has long-term untreated gum disease also been linked to?
- Lower VO2 max
- Atrial fibrillation
A large South Korean study found that developing periodontal disease was associated with a higher risk of atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat linked to stroke and heart failure. Learn more.
- Weaker bone resilience
- Reduced inflammation markers
5In the JAMA Oncology study, how much higher were the odds of developing early precancerous colorectal growths among the highest ultraprocessed food consumers?
- 10% higher
- 45% higher
Women eating about 10 servings of ultraprocessed food daily had 45% higher odds of developing conventional adenomas before age 50 compared to those eating a little over three servings daily. Learn more.
- 70% higher
- 5% higher
6What did FDA reviewers find regarding U.S. patient outcomes in the landmark PLATO trial?
- U.S. patients had identical outcomes to Europe
- U.S. patients had significantly better outcomes
- U.S. patients had worse outcomes on ticagrelor
FDA analysis found U.S. patients had a 27% higher risk of major cardiovascular events on ticagrelor, the opposite pattern seen in Europe and other regions. Learn more.
- The U.S. data was never collected
7In the Virginia Tech rat study, what happened to K63 protein levels in young rats fed a high-fat diet?
- Levels dropped below normal ranges
- Levels matched what’s normally seen in much older rats
Young obese rats showed K63 levels comparable to those typically seen in much older animals, suggesting obesity may accelerate the same brain-aging pathway seen in normal aging. Learn more.
- Levels stayed completely unchanged
- Levels only rose in rats over two years old
8According to the CDC estimate, roughly what share of American teens are living with prediabetes?
- About 1 in 20
- About 1 in 10
- About 1 in 3
The CDC estimated that about 32.7% of adolescents, roughly 8.4 million teens, were living with prediabetes in 2023, though this figure comes from an unreviewed summary rather than a published dataset. Learn more.
- About 1 in 2
9Which components in breast milk are described as guiding tissue development and regulating gene expression?
- Refined carbohydrates
- MicroRNA
MicroRNA in breast milk is protected from digestion, allowing it to be absorbed and guide tissue development, regulate gene expression, and support immune system formation. Learn more.
- Artificial preservatives
- Synthetic vitamins
10What did the study find about the relationship between taking more supplements and health outcomes?
- More supplements always guarantee better health
- Taking more doesn’t automatically improve health
The study tracked what people took rather than whether those choices improved health, and researchers noted that evidence on supplement benefits remains mixed. Learn more.
- Supplement use has no connection to health at all
- Only multivitamins were shown to improve health
11According to research cited in the article, how much did benzodiazepine use increase the risk of falls in nursing home residents?
- By 10%
- By 44%
A study of 2,510 nursing home residents found that benzodiazepine use increased the risk of falls by 44%, largely due to dizziness and impaired coordination. Learn more.
- By 75%
- By 5%
12In the mBio study, what share of urinary tract infections (UTIs) was estimated to come from E. coli of food-animal origin?
- About 2%
- About 18%
Using genetic analysis of thousands of E. coli samples, researchers estimated that nearly 18% of UTIs were caused by zoonotic E. coli strains likely spread through contaminated meat. Learn more.
- About 50%
- About 80%
13In the adolescent study, how many three-minute activity breaks helped preserve brain blood flow during an 80-minute sitting session?
- Two breaks total
- Four breaks total
Four three-minute activity breaks during the 80-minute sitting period helped students maintain the brain’s oxygen-rich blood response during a demanding memory task. Learn more.
- Six breaks total
- Eight breaks total
14In the mouse study, what happened to fat-burning genes in older animals with low vitamin D?
- They became more active than in younger mice
- They were significantly suppressed
Genes responsible for breaking down fat were significantly suppressed in older mice with low vitamin D, while vitamin D supplementation switched them back on. Learn more.
- They had no measurable change
- They doubled in expression
15In the Vienna study of 47 heart transplant patients, what percentage reported distinct personality changes they attributed to their new heart?
- About 6%
Dr. Benjamin Bunzel’s study found that 6% of patients reported personality changes they attributed directly to their donor heart, while the large majority reported no such change. Learn more.
- About 50%
- About 90%
- About 100%
16According to laboratory research, how does tea tree oil appear to affect the influenza virus?
- It directly kills the virus on contact
- It interferes with an early step in viral replication
Tea tree oil did not kill the influenza virus directly, but laboratory tests found it interrupted an early step the virus needs to multiply inside infected cells, with the strongest effect occurring within the first two hours of infection. Learn more.
- It has no measurable effect on the virus
- It only works after symptoms have ended
17In the meta-analysis of 33 randomized controlled trials, which laughter method showed the strongest benefits for anxiety and life satisfaction?
- Watching humorous videos
- Listening to comedy tapes
- Laughter yoga
When broken down by type, laughter yoga consistently showed the strongest benefits in reducing anxiety and increasing life satisfaction compared to other laughter-based methods. Learn more.
- Reading joke books
18Which practice is suggested as a way to better discern truth amid information overload?
- Avoiding all forms of media to prevent biases
- Recognizing the biases inherent in different information sources
Developing an awareness of the biases behind different sources is described as a practical way to better evaluate information and move closer to an accurate understanding. Learn more.
- Adopting the first explanation encountered without question
- Limiting exposure to only one perspective permanently that you agree with
19How did the blood test’s predictive value compare to results from expensive brain imaging?
- It remained an independent predictor even after accounting for imaging
Even after researchers adjusted for participants’ amyloid PET scan results, p-tau217 remained an independent predictor of future cognitive decline, capturing information that imaging alone did not. Learn more.
- It became meaningless once imaging results were considered
- It only worked when combined with an MRI
- It performed worse than imaging in every case
20What key difference is highlighted between fresh and aged meat?
- Aged meat contains more glycogen than fresh meat
- Fresh meat contains glycogen that aged meat loses
Fresh meat still contains glycogen, a stored carbohydrate, but as meat ages, bacteria ferment that glycogen away, leaving only protein along with higher endotoxin levels. Learn more.
- Both contain identical amounts of carbohydrate
- Aging meat increases its carbohydrate content
21What dietary factor is highlighted as something to reduce before increasing midday sun exposure?
- Dietary fiber intake
- Protein from animal sources
- Seed oils high in linoleic acid
Linoleic acid from seed oils is described as interacting with UV radiation to trigger inflammation and DNA damage, making it advisable to reduce seed oil intake for about six months before extended midday sun exposure. Learn more.
- Complex carbohydrates