Is there any merit to eating your crusts or was your mum just trying to prevent food from going to waste?
Asked by: Paul McGuinness, Bristol
A 2002 study did find that levels of the antioxidant pronyl-lysine were eight times higher in the crust of a rye and wheat loaf than in the middle. This hints that eating crusts might protect against cancer. Yet this benefit would be largely irrelevant in previous centuries where malnutrition, war and infectious disease were the biggest killers. Your mother almost certainly just didn’t want you to waste food.
Subscribe to BBC Focus magazine for fascinating new Q&As every month and follow @sciencefocusQA on Twitter for your daily dose of fun science facts.
Luis trained as a zoologist, but now works as a science and technology educator. In his spare time he builds 3D-printed robots, in the hope that he will be spared when the revolution inevitably comes.
Subscribe to BBC Science Focus Magazine and try 3 issues for just $9.95
Discover our latest special editions covering a range of fascinating topics from the latest scientific discoveries to the big ideas explained.
Listen to some of the brightest names in science and technology talk about the ideas and breakthroughs shaping our world.
By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.