In this argument the author concludes that people trying to lose weight are better
off consuming sugar than the artificial sweetener aspartame. To support this conclusion
the author argues that aspartame can cause weight gain by triggering food cravings,
whereas sugar actually enhances the body's ability to bum fat. Neither of these reasons
provides sufficient support for the conclusion.
The first reason that aspartame encourages food cravings is supported by research
findings that high level s of aspartame deplete the brain chemical responsible for
registering a sense of being sated, or full. But the author's generalization based on this
research is unreliable. The research was based on a sample in which large amounts of
aspartame were administered; however, the author applies the research findings to s
target population that includes all aspartame users, many of whom would probably not
consume high levels of the artificial sweetener.
The second reason that sugar enhances the body's ability to bum fat is based on
the studies in which experimental groups, whose members consumed sugar after at least
45 minutes of continuous exercise, showed increased rates of fat burning. The author's
general claim, however, applies to all dieters who use sugar instead of aspartame, not
just to those who use sugar after long periods of exercise. Once again, the author's
generalization is unreliable because it is based on a sample that clearly does not
represent all dieters.
To conclude, each of the studies cited by the author bases its findings on evidence
that does not represent dieters in general; for this reason, neither premise of this
argument is a reliable generalization. Consequently, I am not convinced that dieters are
better off consuming sugar instead of aspartame.