Meat v. Veggies, The Twin Study

Researchers at Stanford University worked with 22 pairs of healthy identical twins for 8 weeks, from May to July 2022, to study the differences between consuming either a vegan or omnivore diet.  Participants were 77.3% female, 72.7% White, and an average age 39.6 years old.

Both diets limited sugar and refined starches, and included lots of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.  The vegan diet was plant-based, and the omnivore diet included chicken, fish, eggs, and dairy.  Meals were provided by a meal service for the first 4 weeks, and the participants cooked their own food for the last 4 weeks.  They had access to a dietician during the last half of the study, to assist if they had questions about food preparation. 

Participants were randomly assigned to consume either the vegan or omnivore diet.  Of the original 44 participants, 43 completed the study.  One vegan dropped out.  Participants kept food logs and were interviewed about their food intake.  Blood was collected for this study, and stool samples were collected for a future examination of impact on inflammation and the microbiome.

The twins that consumed the vegan diet had greater improvements in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting insulin levels, and weight loss than the twins that consumed the omnivore diet. 

Takeaway:  This study suggests “that a healthy plant-based diet offers a significant protective cardiometabolic advantage compared with a healthy omnivorous diet.”  This research supports prior studies that have shown that plant-based diets lower weight, improve cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and lower blood pressure.  You can learn more about this study in the 4-episode Netflix documentary, You Are What You Eat. 

Well-being is a journey, not a quick fix.

Source

Matthew J. Landry, et al., Cardiometabolic Effects of Omnivorous vs Vegan Diets in Identical Twins: A Randomized Clinical Trial, JAMA Network Open 6(11), Nov. 30, 2023, Cardiometabolic Effects of Omnivorous vs Vegan Diets in Identical Twins: A Randomized Clinical Trial | Nutrition, Obesity, Exercise | JAMA Network Open | JAMA Network.

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