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Difficulty: MediumStrengthen

Medical Researcher: A recent observational study found that individuals who drink green tea on a daily basis have a significantly lower incidence of heart disease compared to those who rarely or never drink it. Green tea is uniquely rich in a specific antioxidant compound known as EGCG. Based on these findings, we can conclude that the consumption of EGCG actively helps to prevent the development of heart disease.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the medical researcher's argument?

  1. In a separate, controlled trial, participants who were given purified EGCG supplements but did not alter their regular diets exhibited a substantial decrease in indicators of heart disease.Answer
  2. B
    Individuals who consume green tea frequently are generally more likely to engage in regular aerobic exercise than those who do not.
  3. C
    The absolute number of heart disease cases is often higher in countries where green tea is popular, even if the percentage of the population affected is lower.
  4. D
    EGCG is also found in trace amounts in several other plant species, including certain varieties of apples and plums.
  5. E
    The countries with the highest per capita consumption of green tea also happen to report the highest overall life expectancy.

Answer

The correct answer is the statement showing that purified EGCG supplements, when given to participants without other dietary changes, result in a substantial decrease in indicators of heart disease.
The argument concludes that EGCG causes a reduction in heart disease based on a correlation between drinking green tea (which contains EGCG) and lower heart disease rates. The correct answer isolates the proposed cause (EGCG) from other variables in green tea or the drinkers' lifestyles, demonstrating that EGCG alone leads to a reduction in heart disease indicators. This actively validates the causal mechanism and supports the conclusion.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the main conclusion of the argument.
The conclusion is that the consumption of EGCG actively helps to prevent the development of heart disease.
Understanding the exact conclusion is necessary to determine what kind of evidence will make it more plausible.
2
Identify the premises and the logical gap in the reasoning.
The argument relies on a correlation between drinking green tea and lower heart disease, noting that green tea contains EGCG. The gap is the assumption that EGCG itself is the cause, ignoring other compounds in the tea or lifestyle habits of the drinkers.
Strengthening a causal argument typically requires addressing its underlying assumptions, such as ruling out alternative causes or isolating the mechanism.
3
Evaluate the options to find one that bridges the gap or validates the causal mechanism.
The correct answer demonstrates that when EGCG is administered by itself in a controlled trial, the health benefit still occurs.
Showing that the hypothesized cause produces the desired effect even when separated from confounding variables strongly validates the causal claim.

Key Concept

Strengthening a Causal Argument by Isolating the Variable
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