In early 2022, researchers at Stanford University selected 22 pairs of genetically identical twins from a twin research registry. They randomly distributed to these twins slips of paper indicating whether they followed a “vegan” or “omnivorous” diet. The experiment was part of a study in which the researchers hoped to discover some insight into how food affects a person’s health. The results of the study, published in December 2023, JAMA Network Open Journals,It was outstanding.
Selected participants received 21 packaged meals each week. Trifectais an organic meal delivery service that specializes in providing nutritious “deep chilled” prepared meals designed to support weight loss and fitness goals. Of the meal assortments participants received, the vegan diet consisted of oatmeal, tofu, broccoli, spinach, beans, lentils, and brown rice, while the omnivore diet included foods such as eggs, chicken, turkey bacon, vegetables, and jasmine rice. Participants regularly logged their meals in Cronometer, an app that tracks diet and health data. The Washington Post.
Participants followed their assigned diet for eight weeks, during which a nutritionist called them constantly to check in. They also took blood and stool samples and underwent physical and cognitive tests to assess how the diet affected their sense of balance and memory. Researchers found that people who followed a vegan diet had lower cholesterol, insulin, and body weight than meat-eaters.
“Just by eliminating animal products and eating real food, people saw a 10 to 15 percent reduction in LDL cholesterol, a 25 percent reduction in insulin and a 3 percent reduction in body weight in just eight weeks,” said study lead author Christopher Gardner, a research professor of medicine at the Stanford Prevention Research Center in Palo Alto, California. CNN.
This is not the first time that research has found that vegans are healthier than meat eaters. In 2021, researchers at the Twin Studies and Genetic Epidemiology Department at King’s College London found that genetically identical twins Hugo and Ross TurnerThe twins followed two completely different diets for 12 weeks, with Hugo reportedly following a completely vegan diet while Ross continued to eat meat and dairy. BBC Global.
They consumed the same calories every day and did the same gym workouts. At first, Hugo’s body struggled to adapt and he experienced strong cravings for meat and dairy products, but once his body got used to eating healthy, he felt more energetic and fuller throughout the day. The researchers found that although a vegan diet made people feel fuller, meat eaters had an advantage over healthy gut bacteria. They also suggested that vegans are healthier than meat eaters, but sometimes they end up eating ultra-processed foods.
Regarding this latest study, Gardner, who is a vegetarian, hopes that nutritionists will use the findings to encourage people to eat vegan foods.
