OpenSAT

Question #N72

A study found that people who regularly consume foods rich in antioxidants, such as berries and leafy green vegetables, tend to have lower rates of heart disease and certain types of cancer than people who do not regularly consume these foods. However, the researchers cautioned that it is not possible to conclude from this study that consuming antioxidant-rich foods causes people to be healthier. What is the most likely reason why the researchers made this caution?

The researchers likely cautioned against attributing the lower rates of disease to antioxidant-rich foods because

A. the study did not measure the amount of antioxidants consumed by each participant.

B. the study did not include a control group that did not consume antioxidant-rich foods.

C. the study did not establish a causal relationship between antioxidant-rich foods and lower rates of disease.

D. the study did not account for other factors, such as genetics, that could also influence rates of heart disease and cancer.

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Correct Answer is: C

The researchers likely cautioned against attributing the lower rates of disease to antioxidant-rich foods because the study did not establish a causal relationship between antioxidant-rich foods and lower rates of disease. Correlation does not equal causation. While the study showed a correlation between antioxidant-rich food consumption and lower rates of disease, it did not prove that the foods caused the lower rates of disease. Other factors could have contributed to the lower rates of disease in the group that consumed antioxidant-rich foods.