AWA- Any kind of feedback would be great!
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16 Jun 2016, 16:38
"People who use the artificial sweetener aspartame are better off consuming sugar, since aspartame can actually contribute to weight gain rather than weight loss. For example, high levels of aspartame have been shown to trigger a
craving for food by depleting the brain of a chemical that registers satiety, or the sense of being full. Furthermore, studies suggest that sugars, if consumed after at least 45 minutes of continuous exercise, actually enhance the body's ability to burn fat. Consequently, those who drink aspartame-sweetened juices after exercise will also lose this calorie-burning benefit. Thus it appears that people consuming aspartame rather than sugar are unlikely to achieve their dietary goals."
Discuss how well reasoned . . . etc. "
The conclusion of the magazine on trends and lifestyle about aspartame is seriously flawed. Concluding people who consume aspartame as opposed to sugar are unlikely to achieve their dietary goals should be questioned based on the facts reported.
The first flaw in the argument is that the consumers of aspartame could eat a variety of different foods that would make aspartame an essential part of one’s dietary goals. One aspect of dieting is the kinds of food someone eats and the argument does not consider those types of foods. Although a fruit and vegetable based diet may not work well with aspartame, a meat based diet may be effective in dietary goals when taking aspartame. The argument would be stronger if it had stated that aspartame does not contribute to dietary goals if one eat certain types of food. Only taking aspartame by itself is surely not enough to sustain a healthy diet; other foods must be consumed.
Another piece of evidence that is questionable is the argument’s definition of continuous exercise. The writers of the article stated that aspartame would not be effect after 45 minutes of continuous exercise; however, the type of exercise is not clearly stated. There are many different forms of exercise, including cardio and strength. There is no mention of any type of exercise that leads to the conclusion that aspartame is ineffective towards dieting. Had the writers done more research about whether or not a certain type of exercise affects aspartame’s ability to burn fat, the facts stated would be stronger in support of the conclusion.
The argument is neither sound nor persuasive. The writers of the article have failed to provide compelling reasons why people who consume aspartame do not achieve their dietary goals.