Elixir

A new study published in the online health journal, Respiratory Research, claims that people eating soy-rich diets have a greatly diminished risk of developing chronic pulmonary obstructive disorder (COPD) - the fourth leading cause of death in the US.

And while smoking causes 90 percent of COPD cases, those among the 640 study participants who ate the most soy had better lung function. According to HealthDay,

“Previous research has suggested that soy can reduce cholesterol and ease menopause symptoms. This new study is the first to link soy intake and reduced COPD risk.”

It’s a good thing summer gives us more hours of the day to spend outdoors because Mars, the makers of M&Ms, is trying to make us all just a little fatter via their chocolatey wares.

Coconut M&Ms, coming to a store near you this August, will likely be met with the same thunderous applause (at least by me) as their current limited edition flavor, Strawberried Peanut Butter M&Ms.

Dieters beware - the 1.5 ounce package doesn’t offer any of the benefits of coconut because there isn’t a bit of coconut to be found inside the candy-coated shell. Nonetheless, it sounds like the perfect companion to a poolside afternoon.

After all, it’s less caloric than a piña colada. Or at least that’s what I’ll be telling myself …