Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- How often do you eat sweet foods?
- Do you drink diet soda? Why or why not?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- risk /risk/
- participate /pahr-TIS-uh-peyt/
- intake /IN-teyk/
- alternative /awl-TUR-nuh-tiv/
- debate /dih-BEYT/
[noun] – the possibility of something bad happening
Smoking increases the risk of getting many diseases.
[verb] – to take part in or become involved in an activity
Teachers encouraged the students to participate in school activities.
[part of speech] – the amount of a particular substance that is eaten or drunk during a particular time
She is very cautious of her calorie intake.
[noun] – something that is different from something else, especially from what is usual, and offering the possibility of choice
This is a low-fat alternative to butter.
[noun] – serious discussion of a subject in which many people take part
There has been a heated debate about political reform.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
According to a research published by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, artificial sweeteners have the same health risks as sugar. The data came from 104,760 French men and women who participated in an online study called NutriNet Sante that aims to study the relationship between nutrition, health, and dietary behavior. The participants recorded their everyday food intake and their health status every six months. They were divided into three groups depending on the amount of sugar they consume regularly. The researchers discovered that the participants who regularly take drinks with artificial sweeteners are at the same risk of getting a heart disease with people who regularly take sugary drinks.
Lead author Eloi Chazelas said that the study suggests that artificially sweetened drinks may not be a healthy alternative for sugar drinks, and the data added further supported arguments on the debate about taxes and regulation of artificial sweeteners. Co-chair of the American College of Cardiology, Dr. Andrew Freeman said people think that alternative sweeteners are better than sugar yet recent evidence shows possible health risks especially in women. Freeman advised that it is best to limit food additives not just in drinks but to processed foods in general.
Lead author Eloi Chazelas said that the study suggests that artificially sweetened drinks may not be a healthy alternative for sugar drinks, and the data added further supported arguments on the debate about taxes and regulation of artificial sweeteners. Co-chair of the American College of Cardiology, Dr. Andrew Freeman said people think that alternative sweeteners are better than sugar yet recent evidence shows possible health risks especially in women. Freeman advised that it is best to limit food additives not just in drinks but to processed foods in general.
Comprehension Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Where was the research published according to the article?
- What is NutriNet Sante?
- How many participants joined the study?
- Who is the lead author of the study?
- Who is the co-chair of the American College of Cardiology?
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Would you also participate in a study similar to the ongoing NutriNet Sante research? Explain your answer.
- Should the government add more tax to artificially sweetened beverages? Why or why not?
- Why do you think people like eating unhealthy foods?
- Do you have a balanced diet? Why or why not?
- If you could have any food right now, what would it be? Why?