Drinking beetroot(甜菜) juice before exercise could take years off your brain. Combining the drink with exercise strengthens certain regions of the brain, making it appear more youthful and potentially preventing the organ’s decline. This finding could help people who are at the risk of brain deterioration(恶化) to remain functionally independent, such as those with a family history who have suffer from the brain damage. Beetroot juice’s power likely lies in its nitric oxide content(一氧化氮含量), which both increases blood flow to the brain and improves exercise performance. 
       Study author Professor Jack Rejeski said, “Nitric oxide is a really powerful material. It goes to the areas of the body which need oxygen, and the brain is a heavy feeder of oxygen in your body. Compared to exercise alone, adding a beetroot juice supplement to exercise resulted in brain improvement that closely resembles what you see in younger adults.”
       Scientists from Wake Forest University, North Carolina, studied 26 men and women aged 55 and older who did not exercise and had high blood pressure. Some participants were given beetroot juice one hour before walking for 50 minutes without having a rest, while others did the same exercise but without the drink. This was repeated three times a week for six weeks. Those who drank the juice had healthier brains, including the regions involved in movement, emotion and cognitive function.  
       The scientists also found higher levels of nitrate(硝酸盐) in those who drank the juice. Beetroot contains nitrate, which is first turned to nitrite and then nitric oxide in the body. This comes after researchers from Queen Mary University of London found one daily glass of 250ml beetroot juice lowers blood pressure.

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1.What does the underlined phrase “This finding” refer to?

A The benefits drinking beetroot brings in.

B Certain regions of the brain growing large.

C Drinking a lot of water before exercise.

D Preventing the organ's decline is impossible.

解析：选A。A 词意指代题。根据第一段第一句的Drinking beetroot(甜菜) juice before exercise could take years off your brain可以得知“这个发现”指的就是他们发现了喝甜菜汁的好处。故选A。

2.Why does the beetroot juice improve the brain improvement?

A Because it includes nitric oxide.

B Because it brings the risk of brain deterioration.

C Because it reduces the exercise.

D Because it stops the blood flow in the brain.

解析：选A。细节理解题。根据第二段前两句的Nitric oxide is a really powerful material. It goes to the areas of the body which need oxygen可以得知是甜菜汁中的一氧化氮会改善大脑的表现。故选A。

3.How many times did the participants exercise in the test?

A 3 times.

B 6 times.

C 12 times.

D 18 times.

解析：选D。数字计算题。根据第三段第二、三句的Some participants were given beetroot juice one hour before walking for 50 minutes without having a rest, while others did the same exercise but without the drink. This was repeated three times a week for six weeks. 可以得知一周三次，连续六个星期，因此他们总共运动了18次。故选D。

4.Where can you find the article?

A In a travel guide.

B In a weather magazine.

C In a science magazine.

D In a science fiction.

解析：选C。C 文章出处题。本文主要讲述的科学家们对甜菜汁能够改善人的大脑表现的相关研究，因此应该在科学杂志中能看到这样的文章。故选C。