1. Which of the following foods is not specifically linked to a reduced risk of heart disease?
a. Garlic
b. Oats
c. Corn
d. Grape juice
e. Nuts
2. The fiber in which of the following foods will lead to a reduction of blood cholesterol?
a. Whole-grain bread
b. Brown rice
c. Bran cereal
d. Carrots
e. Oats
3. What percentage of total deaths in the United States is linked to heart disease?
a. 20%
b. 30%
c. 40%
d. 50%
e. 60%
4. Which of the following conditions is not linked to metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that vastly increases the risk for development of heart disease?
a. Kidney disease
b. Low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
c. High total cholesterol
d. Insulin resistance
e. Abdominal obesity
5. How many calories are contained in each gram of fat?
a. 2 calories
b. 3 calories
c. 6 calories
d. 9 calories
e. 12 calories
Answers
1. c. Corn
Garlic, oats, grape juice, and nuts all are proven to reduce cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease. A high intake of fruits and vegetables is proven to lead to better heart health, but no specific citation mentioning the benefits of corn exists.
2. e. Oats
Whole-grain bread, brown rice, bran cereal, and carrots all contain insoluble fiber. Oats contain soluble fiber, which binds with bile and prevents the absorption of cholesterol. However, both soluble and insoluble fibers are good for you, and you should try to eat as much fiber as possible.
3. c. 40 percent
According to the National Center for Health Statistics and the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of mortality in the United States, accounting for 40.1% of all deaths.
4. a. Kidney disease
Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed if any of the following three conditions are present:
>Waist circumference 40″ in males or 35″ in females
>Triglycerides 150, HDL cholesterol ≤40 mg/deciliter (dL) in men or ≤50 mg/dL in females, blood pressure 130/85 millimeters of mercury (mmHg)
>Fasting glucose 110 mg/dL
5. d. 9 calories
Each gram of fat contains 9 calories. For comparison, each gram of carbohydrate or protein contains 4 calories.
