Weekly Health Quiz: Water, Pregnancy and Avocados

1 Why might hard water be healthier for your heart than soft water?

• Because hard water is more acidic
• Because hard water contains higher levels of zinc and calcium
• Because hard water contains higher levels of magnesium

  Research has shown people drinking soft water on a regular basis are more susceptible to lethal arrhythmias than those drinking hard water. One hypothesis that can account for this is magnesium deficiency, as hard water contains higher levels of magnesium than soft water. Learn more.

• Because soft water is less hydrating

2 Research shows long-term annual vaccination may render young children who have not previously been infected with an influenza virus:

• Immune to infection with a pandemic influenza virus of a novel subtype
• Less likely to contract a novel pandemic influenza virus
• Guaranteed to contract a novel pandemic influenza virus
• More susceptible to infection with a pandemic influenza virus of a novel subtype

  Research shows long-term annual vaccination may render young children who have not previously been infected with an influenza virus more susceptible to infection with a pandemic influenza virus of a novel subtype. Learn more.

3 Which of the following has been identified as the driving mechanism of harm behind electromagnetic field (EMF) damage to human health?

• Oxidative stress triggered by the production of peroxynitrites

  The primary danger of EMFs — and what drives the processes of chronic disease — is the mitochondrial damage triggered by peroxynitrites, one of the most damaging types of reactive nitrogen species. Learn more.

• Exaggerated antioxidant response triggered by overproduction of glutathione
• Ionizing damage similar to that of X-rays
• Lowered immune defense by inhibiting vaccine effectiveness

4 Research shows drinking fluoridated water during pregnancy has which of the following health effects on offspring?

• Raises children's IQ
• Lowers children's IQ

  One of the most recent studies highlighting the dangers of fluoride was a U.S. and Canadian government-funded observational study published in JAMA Pediatrics, which found that drinking fluoridated water during pregnancy lowers children's IQ. Learn more.

• Improves math scores
• Raises risk of sudden infant death syndome

5 The lead investor among a group of 18 that helped make NewsGuard a reality is:

• The Grocery Manufacturer's Association of America (GMA), a lobbying group for junk food makers
• Drug company Eli Lilly
• Publicis Groupe, a giant global communications group with strong ties to Big Pharma

  While Publicis has been busy solidifying its strong ties with Big Pharma, it was also the lead investor among a group of 18 that helped make NewsGuard a reality. Learn more.

• The American Council on Science and Health (ACSH), a nonprofit organization that's really an industry front group

6 The major drawback to the world popularity of avocados is:

• Their high cholesterol
• The high calories found in the fruit
• Their high price at grocery stores
• The tremendous amount of water required to grow them

  Avocados require so much water to produce, compared to other crops, that their plantations have led to severe water shortages in Chile. Some local people now have to have their water trucked in because of the plantations. Learn more.

7 What percentage of national elections in the world has been determined by biased Google search results and biased search suggestions, according to research by Robert Epstein, senior research psychologist for the American Institute of Behavioral Research and Technology?

• 25%

  Robert Epstein has shown biased web searches can shift the opinion of 48% to 63% of undecided voters toward or against a particular political candidate. Search suggestions is another powerful manipulation tool capable of turning a 50/50 split among undecided voters into a 90/10 split. Because more than 90% of searches worldwide are conducted on Google, the company has likely determined the outcomes of 25% of the national elections in the world. Learn more.

• 50%
• 75%
• 100%