Which is Worse: Sugar or Fat? Food Myths Busted

What was the general public perception regarding saturated fat and sugar in the 1970s and 80s?

• Saturated fat was considered healthy, while sugar was seen as harmful.

• Both saturated fat and sugar were believed to be beneficial for health.

• Saturated fat was considered harmful, and sugar was also explicitly identified as a major problem.

• Saturated fat was considered harmful, and the damaging effects of sugar were largely overlooked.

What was the core idea of Ancel Keys' Diet-Heart Hypothesis?

• High sugar intake directly causes coronary artery disease.

• The amount of saturated fats consumed leads to high blood fat levels, causing coronary artery disease.

• Unsaturated fats are the primary cause of blood vessel blockages.

• Cholesterol levels in the blood are not influenced by dietary fat.

In 1977, what was one of the new dietary goals released by the US Senate Select Committee on Nutrition & Human Needs?

• Americans should aim to get 40% of their calories from fat.

• Americans should limit their total fat intake to 30% of their calories.

• Americans should increase their intake of refined sugar.

• Americans should limit saturated fat to 20% of their total calories.

How did the sugar industry influence the scientific narrative around fat and sugar in the mid-20th century?

• They funded independent research proving the health benefits of sugar.

• They paid researchers to publish a review article that downplayed sugar's role and highlighted fat's role in heart disease.

• They successfully lobbied for government subsidies for sugar production.

• They developed new sugar-free products to promote healthier diets.

What are Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL) and High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL) commonly referred to as?

• LDL is good cholesterol, HDL is bad cholesterol.

• LDL is bad cholesterol, HDL is good cholesterol.

• Both LDL and HDL are good cholesterol.

• Both LDL and HDL are bad cholesterol.

What was a significant issue with low-fat diets in the early 2000s that contributed to rising obesity and diabetes rates?

• People replaced fat with healthier whole grains.

• People replaced fat with reduced-fat products loaded with sugar and other carbs.

• Low-fat diets were too expensive for most people.

• Low-fat diets caused people to eat less overall.

What effect do diets high in sugar and refined carbohydrates typically have on cholesterol and triglyceride levels?

• They lower triglyceride levels and raise good HDL cholesterol.

• They raise triglyceride levels and bad LDL cholesterol, while lowering good HDL.

• They lower both triglyceride and bad LDL cholesterol.

• They have no significant effect on cholesterol or triglyceride levels.

What do many experts currently believe is the primary cause of diabetes, rather than sugar consumption itself?

• Genetic predispositions.

• Lack of physical activity.

• Complications arising from being overweight.

• Excessive consumption of saturated fats.