Sunday, August 16, 2009

Healthy Blue M&Ms!

Today's Blue Monday post is taken from the Chicago Tribune, July 29, 2009:

Scientists can’t yet explain why green M&Ms seem to hold seductive powers or why the brown-hued chocolates appear to bring bad luck.

But new research shows that an artificial dye that is chemically similar to the one used in blue M&Ms may hold promise in treating spinal cord injuries, according to a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The compound, called Brilliant Blue G, was injected into the veins of rats within 15 minutes of their receiving a paralyzing injury. The rats given the BBG solution temporarily turned blue and regained their ability to walk, albeit with a limp. The rats that didn’t receive the dye also recovered, but to a lesser extent than rats that received BBG.

The new findings build on earlier research by the same scientists that showed adenosine triphosphate, a chemical that keeps the body’s cells alive, floods into an area surrounding a spinal cord injury, killing the cells that normally allow us to move.

When BBG was injected, it blocked ATP’s harmful effects at the injury site, according to the researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York.

While Americans ingest more than 1 million pounds of the chemically similar FD&C blue dye No. 1 annually, according to the study, upping your M&M intake isn’t likely to do anything but make you fat. But study co-author Dr. Maiken Nedergaard, director of the Center for Translational Neuromedicine at URMC, says she’s now a big fan of blue M&Ms.

“They are actually doing something that the other colors do not,” she wrote in an e-mail.

Still, human trials are needed before emergency responders start deploying intravenous blue-dye drips.



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And during these hot days of August, remember Blue's motto:

"Never let them see you melt"

13 comments:

SmilingSally said...

Isn't that interesting! Happy Blue Monday.

jeanne said...

Good morning Knitty. I am going to stock up on blue M&M's, just in case. Big smile. Interesting thought. There must be other ways to ingest the chemical. A fun post and if it's true, a great post.

Hugs...Jeanne

Lynn said...

Well, I do love chocolate, and I do love m&m's. The health benefit, however, makes me wonder if it outweights the sugar and the fat that may add to our health problems or at least our waistlines. LOL.

Becky K. said...

You just never know...and I love that dark chocolate is good for your heart! So if you eat the blue dark chocolate M&M's it should be very, very good for you, yes? lol

Becky K.

Coloradolady said...

This is very interesting, and amazing too. Love m&m's by the way...any color will do!!

Mary Bergfeld said...

I'll be darned :-). I hope you are having a wonderful day.

Terry said...

Howdy
oh my gosh Knitty you are so amazing.
I had not read about this.
What a great article to share.
Great post !!!!!
I loved the blue M&M's today.
Thank you so much for sharing with us .
Blessings to you and yours.
Big Hugs
Happy Trails

Sarah said...

Well, I'm happy to know I'm consuming such a healthy snack when I pop my M&Ms into my mouth. Thanks for sharing. Happy Blue Monday!
hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/

Boo-Bah AKA Iris said...

Now that is interesting! My great-grandbaby who is almost three would say forget about the health values. He calls them num num's and wants them everytime he sees them.

Iris

Baba said...

Hi Knitty, thanks for your visit and great information on the blue M & M's...maybe one day.. all of our favorite snack foods will be healthy for us !!

LV said...

What a neat blue Monday post. I love M&Ms but did know all that about them. Good information. Glad you had time to visit and leave me a comement.

Anonymous said...

Great post Knitty! It was so interesting. Who would have thought. I guess to get the true benifits of M & M's we need to seperate all of the colors before we eat them LOL I hope you are having a lovely week

Drawn to The Sea said...

I read this too! The photos of the mice with blue noses & ears & tails... wouldn't it be wonderful if this turns out to really be helpful to those with spinal injuries.