Short answer
M&M's are bad for you. While Mars is phasing out the controversial food dyes in M&Ms, they’re mostly sugar in the first place.
Recommended Alternative
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
M&Ms are basically sugar and food dye. The sugar is mostly found in chocolate, although the candies also have added sugar and corn syrup. There's not much fiber to speak of in M&Ms, so their sugar hits your system quickly. It's broken down in the blood, giving you a quick boost followed by a crash. It also feeds the bacteria in your mouth, which produce an acid that breaks down your teeth. Eat too many M&Ms on a regular basis, and you could do damage to your dental health. You'll also increase your chances of developing chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension.
The food dye in M&Ms has also been the subject of controversy. A study in 1976 linked red dye #2 - which M&Ms did not use - and cancer. Public panic around red-dyed foods caused Mars to temporarily pull red M&Ms from their packets.
The dyes that Mars does use, however, have been the subject of even more controversy. They've been linked by some studies to hyperactivity in children. Investigations in rodents have demonstrated that they can accelerate tumor growth, disrupt the endocrine system, and increase rates of cancer.
The European Food Safety Authority has called for further tests to determine whether or not the dyes are safe, although they have not yet adjusted their daily recommended allowance of the dyes. Foods that have the offending dyes can't be sold in the European Union without a printed warning that they may cause hyperactivity in children. The FDA has also kept the door open, for now, although advocacy groups like the Center for Science in the Public Interest continue to pressure them to restrict or ban the dyes.
The public and consumer advocacy groups have gone further. For years, they've put pressure on companies like Nestle and Mars to replace the synthetic dyes that they use in their products with natural ones. Nestle and Mars have responded; the former has pledged to replace the dyes with natural alternatives within the next five years. Mars followed suit in February of 2016. If they keep their promise, the controversial dyes used to color M&Ms will be phased out by 2021. They've done so already in Europe, although they still use some of the dyes in the United States.
Natural alternatives may be hard to find; the New York Times Magazine's food issue in 2016 has an in-depth breakdown of the search for a replacement blue. Berries, algae, tree-root fungi, and sea sponges are all candidates for a blue that has the right hue, doesn't have a strong taste, and doesn't break down easily.
Possible short-term side effects
- hyperactivity
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blood sugar spike
Possible long-term side effects
- tumors
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endocrine disruption
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cancer
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damaged teeth
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diabetes
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hypertension
Ingredients to be aware of
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
UNREAL Dark Peanut Gems
- Vegan-friendly
- Natural colors
- Fair Trade certified
- Non-GMO ingredients
- No sugar alcohols
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