5 Junk Foods That Could Save Your Life By Hilary Walke

It's A Medical Miracle

From blue M&Ms to cheese whiz, it turns out our favorite junk foods may have some redeeming qualities. Find out if your favorite splurge food made the list.

Blue M&M’s
A recent study led by a team at the University of Rochester Medical Center discovered that the artificial blue dye in M&M’s had a significant impact on the recovery of rats with spinal cord injuries. No, we’re not advising you to make a steady diet of them, but researchers are hopeful this discovery will lead to effective treatment in the future.

Guinness
Remember that old slogan telling you Guinness is good for you? Experts from The University of Wisconsin say one pint of this thick and creamy dark beer may be as effective as a low dose of aspirin to improve blood circulation, hence lowering the risk of blood clots and heart attacks.

"These foods do have active helpful ingredients, but it's all about the
amount," cautions health-editor-at-large Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom.

Cheese Whiz
Conjugated linoleic acid is found in many meat, milk, and cheese products. However, a study published in The Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society concentrates specifically on processed cheese, revealing that CLA contains anti-carcinogenic properties, as well as a possible effective antioxidant. The study says processed cheeses like Cheese Whiz contain more CLA than natural cheese, such as cheddar.

Hershey’s Dark Chocolate

It turns out that dark chocolate — not white, or milk — lowers blood pressure, according to a report in The Journal of the American Medical Association in 2003. Because of the high amounts of antioxidants in dark chocolate, it has other health benefits as well, such as decreasing risk of heart disease if you eat around 100 grams a day.

Of course, that’s nearly a quarter of a pound of dark chocolate a day, Fernstrom warns, so do the math and see if it’s really good for your waistline.

Red Wine

Red wine does more than give you a good buzz. According to a study published in The Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology this year, resveratrol, an ingredient in red wine, effectively decreases life-threatening inflammation. The antioxidants in red wine can also help with preventing heart disease and cancer.

"Not a drinker? You can get the same effects in grape juice or red grapes; they both have similar properties," Fernstrom says.

More Deceiving Splurges

Some foods aren't always what they seem. Knowing the facts helps you eat more confidently and healthily. Check out some more hidden food secrets revealed.