In the ongoing debate between plant-based and omnivorous diets, a fascinating real-life experiment has shed new light on how our food choices can impact health, energy, and even biological age. Identical twins Hugo and Ross Turner recently took part in a 12-week dietary challenge where one adopted a vegan diet while the other continued with a meat-based omnivorous diet—and the results were nothing short of eye-opening.
The Vegan vs Omnivore Experiment: A Unique Study
Because identical twins share the same DNA, they provide a rare opportunity to study the effects of diet with minimal genetic interference. Throughout the experiment, the twins exercised together, slept the same hours, and lived nearly identical lifestyles. The only variable? Their diet.
Hugo followed a strict vegan diet, eliminating all animal products, while Ross maintained a balanced omnivorous diet that included meat, dairy, and eggs. Over the course of three months, researchers measured key health parameters, including:
Cholesterol levels Insulin sensitivity Weight changes Gut microbiome diversity Energy levels Biological age (via DNA methylation)
Surprising Outcomes: The Case for Plant-Based Nutrition
The vegan twin saw remarkable improvements in several health markers:
Lower LDL cholesterol levels (bad cholesterol) Reduced fasting insulin, suggesting better blood sugar control Slight weight loss, primarily from fat mass Increased gut microbiome diversity, which is linked to improved digestion and immunity A reduction in biological age, suggesting potential anti-aging benefits
These findings are consistent with a Stanford School of Medicine randomized trial that tracked 22 identical twin pairs. The vegan twins in the study experienced significantly better cardiometabolic outcomes compared to their omnivorous siblings. Specifically, the study found decreased LDL-C levels, fasting insulin, and body weight in the vegan group—without compromising muscle mass or micronutrient status (Parpia et al., 2023).
Another review published in Nutrients suggests that whole-food plant-based diets may lower the risk of chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes while supporting healthy weight and metabolic health (Tuso et al., 2013).
Conclusion: Is a Vegan Diet Better?
While both diets can be healthy if well-planned, this experiment clearly showed that a plant-based lifestyle offers measurable health benefits. Improved cholesterol, better insulin control, and reduced biological age are not just trends—they’re signs of long-term well-being.
Whether you’re considering a full vegan transformation or simply adding more plant-based meals to your diet, starting with nutrient-dense sources of protein can make a major difference.
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References
Parpia, A. S., Li, X., Mikolajewski, A., Lee, S. Y., Miller, B. V., Berdan, C. A., … & Gardner, C. D. (2023). Effects of a Vegan Diet Versus an Omnivorous Diet on Cardiometabolic Outcomes in Identical Twins: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Network Open, 6(12), e2347153. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.47153
Tuso, P. J., Ismail, M. H., Ha, B. P., & Bartolotto, C. (2013). Nutritional update for physicians: Plant-based diets. The Permanente Journal, 17(2), 61–66. https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/12-085
