Physiologist: The likelihood of developing osteoporosis is greatly increased by a deficiency of calcium in the diet. Dairy products usually contain more calcium per serving than do fruits and vegetables. Yet in countries where dairy products are rare, and fruits and vegetables are the main source of calcium, the incidence of osteoporosis is much lower than in countries where people consume a great deal of calcium from dairy products.
"Surprising" Phenomenon
Why is the rate of osteoporosis much lower in countries where fruits and veggies are the main source of calcium than in countries where people get a lot of calcium from dairy products, even though dairy products usually contain more calcium per serving than do fruits and vegetables, and the chance of getting osteoporosis increases from calcium deficiency?
Objective
The correct answer should suggest a difference between the people in countries in which fruits/veggies are main source of calcium and the countries in which dairy products provide a lot of the calcium. This difference should help explain the lower rates of osteoporosis in the fruits/veggie-focused countries.
A
A healthy human body eventually loses the excess calcium that it takes in.
This doesn’t differentiate between the fruits/veggie-focused countries and the dairy-focused countries.
B
Many people who eat large quantities of fruits and vegetables also consume dairy products.
The comparison involves people in countries “where dairy products are rare.” So, we’re focused on countries where the typical fruit/veggie-eater wouldn’t be able to consume lots of dairy.
C
There are more people who have a calcium deficiency than there are who have developed osteoporosis.
This doesn’t help differentiate between the fruits/veggie-focused countries and the dairy-focused countries.
D
People who have calcium deficiencies are also likely to have deficiencies in other minerals.
This doesn’t help differentiate between the fruits/veggie-focused countries and the dairy-focused countries.
E
The fats in dairy products tend to inhibit the body’s calcium absorption.
This suggests that people in the dairy countries might get less calcium than the people in the fruit/veggie countries. Although dairy has more calcium, it makes the calcium more difficult to absorb. This might explain the fruit/veggie countries’ lower osteoporosis rate.