If Dr. Wade was right, any apparent connection of the eating of

highly processed foods and excelling at sports is purely coincidental.
(A) If Dr. Wade was right, any apparent connection of the eating of
(B) Should Dr. Wade be right, any apparent connection of eating
(C) If Dr. Wade is right, any connection that is apparent between eating of
(D) If Dr. Wade is right, any apparent connection between eating
(E) Should Dr. Wade have been right, any connection apparent between eating

OA D
in the correct annswer is eating and excelling adjectives .. OG says they are participles...
It seems they are verbs

connection between eating highly processed foods and excelling at sports