Blue Food Dye May Help Treat Spinal Injury

M&M coloring, if taken in time, could reduce paralysis, study finds
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 28, 2009 11:16 AM CDT
Blue Food Dye May Help Treat Spinal Injury
Gatorade can contain Brilliant Blue G dye.   (AP Photo)

A dye used to color blue M&Ms and Gatorade may have a higher calling: Scientists say it could help treat spinal-cord injury, ScienceBlog reports. After a spinal injury, a chemical called ATP, usually key to cells’ health, rushes to the site and kills cells, worsening paralysis. With more research, Brilliant Blue G dye may be able to halt the process—if it’s administered in time. (More color stories.)

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