The likelihood of developing heart disease is heightened by diet rich in saturated fats. Regular, moderate intake of red wine, on the other hand, decreases the likelihood of developing heart disease. Per-capita consumption of saturated fats is roughly equivalent in Spain and Argentina. Nonetheless, heart disease is less prevalent in Argentina than in Spain, possibly because the per-capita consumption of red wine is higher in Argentina. Though the gap between per-capita consumption rates of red wine in the two countries has been falling, no relative change in the incidence of heart disease has been noted.
Which of the following, if true, best resolves the apparent paradox in the statements above?
A. The per capita consumption of red wine has increased notably in the Spain over the past decade.
B. The relative incidence of other factors that contribute to heart disease, such as cigarette smoking and high cholesterol levels, is roughly the same in both countries.
C. Per capita consumption of red wine among the under-40 age group in Argentina has dropped notably, but heart disease does not generally manifest until after the age of 40.
D. Heart disease generally results from the build-up of fatty plaques in the inner lining of the arterial vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle.
E. Per capita consumption of saturated fats has decreased notably in both countries over the past decade.