M&Ms: 1

According to research appearing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the dye Brilliant Blue G, found in blue M&Ms and Gatorade, is thought to combat inflammation caused by spinal injury.

After researchers led by Maiken Nedergaard, MD, director of neuromedicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center, injected Brilliant Blue G into rats with spinal cord injuries, the rodents showed improved mobility and even hobbled about. They also temporarily turned blue.

Injured rats that were not given a dose of the blue dye didn’t walk at all.

My favorite part is how they just slid "temporarily turned blue" in there as though it were no big thing. I'd love to be there when the first doctor mentions the side effects to the first spinal injury patient getting this treatment. "Well, there's a slight chance of irregular bowel movements, sleeplessness and irritability. Oh, and you'll temporarily turn blue."

My second favorite part of this report is that the NAS can't come up with a better title for their rag than "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences."