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The Colorful History of M&M's Candy
 
It's Just a Candy! With History...
What is it with M&M's and the way we associate them with everything from health to sex drive? They are, after all, just a color-coated chocolate candy -- or are they?

The M&M began its dubious existence in 1940 and takes its name from the parent company Mars. The owners' names were Forrest Mars and Bruce Murrie.

It was Forrest who created the recipe for the candy. The hard shell candy that "melts in your mouth, not in your hand" was created after Forrest witnessed Spanish infantrymen snacking on chocolate-covered pellets coated in a hard shell (sugar) in order to keep melted chocolate from sticking to their fingers. After all, this was a time without air-conditioning, so storing chocolate and keeping it from melting was a task. Soon, American GI's were issued the candy.

So how is it that so many myths and practical uses of M&M's exist now? Let's start with health and work our way to the myths.
The Blue M&M That Heals

Recently, CNN reported that blue M&M's may help in the healing process of spinal cord injuries. This is no joke. Apparently researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center conducted a study where they injected the color compound for the blue M&M into rats with spinal cord injuries.

OK... here is my question before we go any further. Where do they get rats with spinal cord injuries? Do the lab techs break the rat's backs, or do they wait for a rat to take a terrible fall which would otherwise leave the rat bedridden for life? Sadly this is the only question I didn't get an answer to.

Next, I had to find out who the genius was that said, "Hey! I got an idea! Let's see if the colors of M&M's can be used as medicinal cure!" While you wait for the answer, rest assured the result of injecting the rats with the 'brilliant blue' compound (that's what it is really named) did in fact enable them to walk again immediately after injury, albeit with a limp.

OK... next question. How did they ascertain whether the rat was mildly injured or severely injured? The truth is, researchers did not turn to the blue in the blue M&M thinking that would make the difference in the rats' health.

What's going on here is this: Back in 2004, researchers learned that a molecule in BBG (Brilliant Blue G) called P2X7 allows an energy source called a nucleotide ATP (adenosine triphosphate) to attach itself to motor neurons, thus blocking chemicals that kill them. It's not all good, as the side effects are similar to the outcome of taking steroids. The metabolic stress over-stimulates healthy motor neurons, causing them to die. It's a science still in the works. Besides, the treatment temporarily turns you blue. No kidding.

You can also find BBG in blue Gatorade. So if you read carefully you learned the real story is the P2X7, but doesn't Blue M&M's make for a better read? What's cute is this story began in 2004 but has life now because the BBG exists in M&M's.

(continued on page 2)

 
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