Blue M&Ms Could be Used to Reduce Damage Caused by Spine Injuries

More accurately, the dye used in Blue M&Ms could be used to reduce damage caused by spine injuries. It is the same dye that is used in Gatorade. The treatment may cause temporary 'Smurfification' (turning blue).

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/07/28/spinal.injury.blue.dye/index.html

"The same blue food dye found in M&Ms and Gatorade could be used to reduce damage caused by spine injuries, offering a better chance of recovery, according to new research.

Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that when they injected the compound Brilliant Blue G (BBG) into rats suffering spinal cord injuries, the rodents were able to walk again, albeit with a limp.

The only side effect was that the treated mice temporarily turned blue."