GLP podcast: Egg myths, debunked; You might hate veggies because of your genes; Chemicals causing early puberty? Probably not

The public believes a lot of myths about eggs. Let’s debunk some of the most popular misconceptions. If you don’t like vegetables, your genetics might help explain why. Recent news reports suggested that chemical exposure could spur early puberty in girls. The study that prompted those headlines said something very different, however.

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Join hosts Dr. Liza Dunn and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 286 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

• Do cage free egg hens really roam free outdoors? Challenging 10 egg myths

Eggs are bad for heart health; the color of an egg affects its nutrient content; cage-free chickens live more comfortably than their conventionally raised counterparts. Each of those claims is false. Let’s take a closer look at these and several other popular egg myths too many people believe.

• Can’t get your child to eat their vegetables? Maybe it’s genetic

If your child won’t eat vegetables, their genes might be to blame. A recent study that tracked the eating habits of identical and non-identical twins from 16 months to 13 years old found that the identical twins had more similar eating habits than other children in the study. Although food preferences are likely influenced by a variety of factors as we grow, the research points to some plausible influence of our DNA on our willingness to eat broccoli.

• Can household products induce early puberty? Study raises questions

A preliminary study conducted on human and rodent cells and zebrafish larvae hints at the possibility that some chemicals in household products could cause early puberty in girls. Although the researchers stipulated that their results “do not offer direct evidence supporting an effect on puberty,” the media ran with the study, warning that some teenagers may be at risk because of a previously undetected chemical exposure. Let’s separate the study’s actual findings from the hyperbolic news coverage they generated.

Dr. Liza Dunn is a medical toxicologist and the medical affairs lead at Bayer Crop Science. Follow her on X @DrLizaMD

Cameron J. English is the director of bio-sciences at the American Council on Science and Health. Visit his website and follow him on X @camjenglish