Final answer:
If brown sugar is found to cause weight loss while white sugar leads to weight gain, there would be an increase in demand for brown sugar and a decrease in demand for white sugar. This is predicated on consumer responses to health impacts of these sugars. Trade policies and imports/exports of sugar can also be influenced by these changes in consumer preferences.
Step-by-step explanation:
If medical researchers found that brown sugar caused weight loss while white sugar caused weight gain, we would likely see a) an increase in demand for brown sugar due to its perceived health benefits. Conversely, there would likely be d) a decrease in demand for white sugar as people try to avoid the negative health impact associated with its consumption.
The reasoning behind this shift in demand is based on consumer behavior, responding to health information about the products. Low-fat or non-fat foods that contain large amounts of sugar can lead to weight gain, despite being marketed as healthier options. This is because excess sugar intake can lead to an increase in body fat as the excess sugar is converted into fat by the body.
In terms of trade, if the United States, for example, has an excess demand for sugar and imports it to meet consumption needs, trade policies can influence this. The imported sugar would also be affected by shifts in consumer preferences toward brown or white sugar. As trade policies evolve, they play a significant role in the economics of sugar production and consumption both domestically and internationally.