superfood

By Angela

In the listening passage, the professor explains that super food have no magic powers to reduce disease in humans. This contradicts information provided in the reading passage, as it says some foods give you more energy and greater protection against disease. Furthermore the reading states that scientific research reveals that a diet rich in blueberries, tomatoes, broccoli and garlic can stop diseases such as Alzheimer’s cancer, high cholesterol, obesity and diabetes.

There’re three examples to support the professor’s opinion. First, he mentions that blueberries do aid some brain functioning, but studies were conducted on animals, such as rats and mice, therefore, blueberries are not guaranteed to work on humans. He thinks that the article misleads in that it doesn’t differentiate between direct evidence and speculation. On the other hand, according to the reading passage, eating one cup of blueberries everyday will prevent mental decline in rats who would get Alzheimer’s. In addition, the reading explains that blueberries are an excellent source of antioxidants and researchers believe that blueberries reduce swelling redness and can also improve the way brain cells communicate.

Second, the speaker states that tomatoes can’t promise people won’t get cancer, and there’s no direct proof broccoli and cabbage prevent colon cancer. However, according to the reading passage, tomatoes are the major source of many carotenoids including the red pigment in tomatoes, which help lower cholesterol and reduces prostate cancer. Furthermore, it’s believed that broccoli and cabbage can help prevent colon cancer.

Third, the lecturer points out that the belief garlic can lower cholesterol is probably untrue. It maybe true for the first 3 months, but the effect will disappear after 6 months. In contrast the reading makes it clear that garlic can control high cholesterol and prevent the common cold and that rich in garlic will lower LDL blood cholesterol.

All in all, the listening passage states that no food has magic power, and blueberries, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage and garlic cannot ensure the prevention of disease, which contradicts the thesis of the reading passage.

Angela