Question

Nico is writing an essay about sugar and found the following excerpt.

Sugar has been determined to have cognitive effects on consumers. While glucose (sugar) is essential to proper brain function, an overabundance of this nutrient can have severe consequences for brain health. High-sugar diets can impair the production of a protein needed to maintain working synapses, which are the connections between nerve cells. Without an adequate amount of this protein, communication among synapses starts to break down, resulting in cognitive decline. Medical professionals are distressed by the overwhelming amounts of added sugar in heavily consumed foods. To break the desire to indulge in sweets, one may need to seek medical guidance.

– "Sugar: Friend or Foe?” by William Harris, Registered Dietician, www.nutritionplace.org

Why should Nico trust this source?

The author uses citations in the text.
The author is knowledgeable on the topic.
The information is reviewed by peers.
The information includes multiple viewpoints.

Answer 1

Only: The author is knowledgeable on the topic.

Why:
- William Harris is identified as a Registered Dietitian, which indicates relevant training and expertise in nutrition.
- The excerpt does not show citations, so "uses citations" is unsupported.
- There's no indication this article was peer‑reviewed—web articles usually are not—so "reviewed by peers" is not justified.
- The excerpt presents one perspective and doesn't show multiple viewpoints.

Tip: Nico should still verify claims by checking for cited scientific studies and looking for corroboration in peer‑reviewed research.