The Viral Rumor and Scientific Reality
In the mid-2000s, a story began to circulate claiming that the dye used in blue M&Ms could help treat spinal cord injuries. This sparked a flurry of media attention and led many to wonder if blue candies were, in fact, healthy. However, the true story is far more complex and involves a significant misunderstanding of scientific research.
In a 2009 study, scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center investigated a compound called Brilliant Blue G (BBG). BBG is chemically similar to FD&C Blue No. 1, a dye found in M&M's and many other blue-colored products. The research showed that when BBG was injected into the bloodstream of paralyzed rats shortly after a spinal cord injury, it could reduce the damaging inflammatory response. This breakthrough allowed the rats to recover some mobility. While this was a promising medical discovery, it was completely misconstrued by popular media.
Separating Fact from Fiction
It is crucial to understand that the research involved injecting a purified compound in a controlled, medical setting, not eating candy. Eating blue M&Ms does not deliver BBG to the injured site, nor does it provide any therapeutic effect. The dye itself offers no nutritional benefits and, in fact, does not alter the fundamental composition of the candy.
The Common Foundation: What’s Inside an M&M
Regardless of their color, all standard milk chocolate M&M’s share the same core ingredients: milk chocolate (sugar, chocolate, skim milk, cocoa butter, lactose, milkfat, soy lecithin, salt, and natural flavor) and a sugar shell. The only differentiating factor is the tiny amount of food coloring used for the outer layer. This means that a brown M&M and a blue M&M are nutritionally identical. The color is purely for aesthetic appeal and marketing purposes.
The Role of Artificial Food Dyes in Our Diet
For decades, artificial food dyes, including Blue No. 1, have been a subject of debate among nutritionists and consumer advocacy groups. While regulatory bodies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deem them safe for consumption at approved levels, some studies and reports have raised concerns.
Potential Health Concerns
- Hyperactivity in Children: The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and other advocacy organizations have long suggested a link between artificial food coloring and hyperactivity in children. A 2007 study in The Lancet supported these concerns, linking artificial colors to increased hyperactivity in some children.
- Other Potential Effects: Animal studies on some artificial dyes, including Blue No. 2, have suggested potential risks like an increased incidence of tumors, though the evidence for direct harm in humans from typical consumption levels is inconclusive.
The Broader Picture of Ultra-Processed Foods
When focusing on the nutritional impact of food coloring, it is easy to miss the larger issue. Artificial dyes are almost exclusively found in ultra-processed foods, which are often high in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and sodium. The real health risk comes from overconsuming these ultra-processed products, not from the minuscule amount of dye. As UNC nutrition epidemiologist Lindsey Smith Taillie noted, “Foods with dye are not healthy or unhealthy solely because of the dye… ultraprocessed foods are formed in factories with a wide range of chemical additives, sweeteners and emulsifiers.”
Are All M&M Colors Created Equal? A Comparison
| Attribute | Blue M&M | Brown M&M | Green M&M | Red M&M | Yellow M&M | Orange M&M |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ingredients | Milk Chocolate | Milk Chocolate | Milk Chocolate | Milk Chocolate | Milk Chocolate | Milk Chocolate |
| Calories (per 1 oz) | 140 (approx.) | 140 (approx.) | 140 (approx.) | 140 (approx.) | 140 (approx.) | 140 (approx.) |
| Sugar (per 1 oz) | 18g (approx.) | 18g (approx.) | 18g (approx.) | 18g (approx.) | 18g (approx.) | 18g (approx.) |
| Saturated Fat (per 1 oz) | 3.5g (approx.) | 3.5g (approx.) | 3.5g (approx.) | 3.5g (approx.) | 3.5g (approx.) | 3.5g (approx.) |
| Nutritional Value | None added by color | None added by color | None added by color | None added by color | None added by color | None added by color |
| Contains Artificial Dye | Yes (FD&C Blue 1, FD&C Blue 2) | Yes (mixture of dyes) | Yes (FD&C Blue 1, Yellow 5) | Yes (Red 40) | Yes (Yellow 5, Yellow 6) | Yes (Yellow 6, Red 40) |
Conclusion: A Colorful Misconception
The popular belief that blue M&Ms are somehow healthier than their colorful counterparts is nothing more than a widespread myth, rooted in a misinterpretation of a scientific study conducted on rats. While the research on Brilliant Blue G for spinal injuries was real, eating the candy provides none of the therapeutic effects observed in the animal study. All standard milk chocolate M&M’s are nutritionally identical, with the only variation being the specific food dye used for the candy shell. As with any ultra-processed food, the overall nutritional profile, high in sugar and fat, is the primary health consideration, not the color of its coating. The next time you reach for a bag of M&M's, pick your favorite color based on preference, not any imagined health benefits. For more information on food dye safety, you can consult sources like the FDA's official information on color additives.
