PrepTest 92+, Section 1, Question 12
Physician: Of the health experts who advocate moderate consumption of alcohol for its cardiac benefits, some say that red wine is the most beneficial. But while there is statistical evidence that people who drink moderate amounts of red wine are less likely to fall victim to heart disease than are people who drink moderate amounts of other alcoholic beverages, proponents of red wine have yet to determine what biochemical mechanism, if any, explains this difference. So their evidence is inconclusive.
Physician: Of the health experts who advocate moderate consumption of alcohol for its cardiac benefits, some say that red wine is the most beneficial. But while there is statistical evidence that people who drink moderate amounts of red wine are less likely to fall victim to heart disease than are people who drink moderate amounts of other alcoholic beverages, proponents of red wine have yet to determine what biochemical mechanism, if any, explains this difference. So their evidence is inconclusive.
Physician: Of the health experts who advocate moderate consumption of alcohol for its cardiac benefits, some say that red wine is the most beneficial. But while there is statistical evidence that people who drink moderate amounts of red wine are less likely to fall victim to heart disease than are people who drink moderate amounts of other alcoholic beverages, proponents of red wine have yet to determine what biochemical mechanism, if any, explains this difference. So their evidence is inconclusive.
Physician: Of the health experts who advocate moderate consumption of alcohol for its cardiac benefits, some say that red wine is the most beneficial. But while there is statistical evidence that people who drink moderate amounts of red wine are less likely to fall victim to heart disease than are people who drink moderate amounts of other alcoholic beverages, proponents of red wine have yet to determine what biochemical mechanism, if any, explains this difference. So their evidence is inconclusive.
Which one of the following principles must be assumed in order for the physician's conclusion to be properly drawn?
If a substance has health benefits when consumed in moderation, then physicians should advocate moderate consumption even if excessive consumption is harmful.
Assertions regarding the health benefits of foods or drinks should be supported by persuasive statistical evidence.
Physicians should not make any recommendations regarding the consumption of food or drink unless there is conclusive evidence supporting those recommendations.
Evidence regarding the health benefits of foods or drinks must be corroborated by accurate accounts of the mechanisms involved in order to be conclusive.
One should try to find a causal mechanism for the health benefits of a substance only if those benefits have been conclusively demonstrated.
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