小编寄语：熟悉四六级阅读理解题型的同学应该都了解，英语四六级考试阅读理解材料大多选自《时代》《卫报》《今日美国》等外刊。要想阅读理解这部分拿到高分，必须在平常多阅读，掌握新词汇，锻炼阅读速度。但对于很多同学来说，如何每日在浩瀚的互联网世界寻找合适的阅读材料进行分析解读是一项很耗时间的事情。为此，沪江英语每日精选《卫报》《时代》等外刊上的文章供大家进行阅读练习。

【今日阅读推荐】本篇阅读材料“研究表明每天两瓶含糖饮料或使味蕾变迟钝”选自《卫报》（原文标题：Two sugary drinks a day can dull taste buds, study claims 2011.6.9）。如果大家觉得比较简单，就当作泛读材料了解了解，认识几个新单词或新表达方式也不错。如果大家觉得这些材料理解上有难度，不妨当做挑战自己的拔高训练，希望大家都有进步^^

Consuming just two sugary drinks a day can dull the taste buds and lead to cravings for high-calorie food, a study claims.

The research suggests that within a month those who drink sugary beverages are left with a dulled sensitivity to sweet tastes. This leads to an increased preference for high-calorie and sugar-laden foods, creating a "vicious cycle" as consumers look for their next treat.

Those who do not have a sweet tooth are particularly at risk of developing one after drinking sugary beverages, even if they are slim and active.

Experts who carried out the research at the universities of Bristol and Bangor expressed surprise at how quickly tastes could be dulled by exposure to sweet drinks. Lucy Donaldson, of the University of Bristol, said: "We have known for some time that the way we perceive different tastes can change under different circumstances. Finding that two sweet drinks a day over a short time can dramatically change taste was a real surprise."

In the trial lean and obese people rated their perception and enjoyment of sweet and salty tastes. The obese participants tended to rate identical drinks as less sweet than the lean ones did.

The experts then recruited only lean people who did not usually consume sugary drinks. Their sensitivity to sweet drinks was tested and they were asked to consume a sugary drink twice a day. A month later, when they were re-tested, their sensitivity to sweet tastes and conscious enjoyment of them had dulled.

Dr Hans-Peter Kubis, of the University of Bangor, said the dulling of tastebuds can lead to a "vicious cycle" as consumers of sugary drinks tend to more sweet and calorie-laden food to compensate.

He said: "This has serious implications for public health. This research shows how little sweet food stuffs are required to actually change your taste perceptions, and how powerful sweet-tasting products are.

"We are heading for a health disaster with rising obesity levels and the increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes. From our research it is clear to see how this situation may have created a cycle of sweet food and drink consumption. As taste satisfaction levels drop; the more sweet foods are consumed, contributing to these problems."

【重点单词及短语】

taste bud 味蕾

craving for 对……的渴望

preference for 偏爱……；优先选择

sugar-laden adj. 富含糖分的

sweet tooth 喜好甜食

at risk of 冒……之危险

perceive v. 察觉；理解；认知

lean adj. 瘦的；贫乏的 v. 倾斜；倚靠；倾向

obese adj. 肥胖的，过胖的

compensate v. 补偿，赔偿

head for 前往；出发；取向于

Question time:

1. What if we are left with a dulled sensitivity to sweet tastes?

2. According to the research, what's the consequence of a dulled sensitivity to sweet tastes?

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