What really happens when one twin goes vegan and the other doesn’t? Identical twins Ross and Hugo Turner decided to find out—by putting their bodies, and perhaps their taste buds, to the ultimate test. Prepare to be surprised by what three months of strict, side-by-side experimentation revealed about vegan and omnivorous diets on the human body, energy, and even our inner microbial universe.
Why use twins? The advantage of genetic copy-paste
Arguments over the best diet have raged for years: Is a plate of greens the secret to vitality, or do you need a truly omnivorous menu, cheese included, to hit your peak? Instead of shouting across dinner tables, 32-year-old identical twins Ross and Hugo Turner decided to trust science—in a particularly personal way. With identical genes, living nearly identical lives, they offered scientists at King’s College London the rare chance to study the true effects of dietary choices, while controlling for almost everything else.
For twelve weeks, both men kept their routines steady (think: same workouts, same lifestyle, enthusiastic experimentation), but Hugo cut out all animal products, going fully vegan, while Ross stuck faithfully to his regular omnivorous diet. This strict experimental setup let them measure concrete factors:
- Body weight changes
- Cholesterol levels
- Muscle mass and body composition
- Digestive system and microbiome changes
Different diets, different bodies: The measurable results
How did the brothers fare after three months of dietary divergence? In a nutshell—very differently. Hugo, navigating the vegan path, experienced physical changes marked by leanness and a welcome dip in cholesterol. His stats?
- Weight loss of one kilogram
- Reduction in body fat percentage
- Significant drop in cholesterol, hinting at possible cardiovascular benefits
Ross, meanwhile, pumped up the protein and found his own physique transformed, just not in the way you might expect. While his muscle mass shot up by five kilograms, this came hand-in-hand with a two percentage point increase in body fat. Intriguingly, his cholesterol levels held steady throughout.
So, what does that tell us? According to their experiment, a plant-based diet could favor a slim silhouette and healthier heart indicators, whereas omnivorous fare might support muscle building—albeit with some extra padding in the fat department.
Energy, cravings, and the great nut vs. cheese struggle
Physical changes aside, the twins’ subjective experiences were strikingly different. Hugo—the vegan for three months—reported feeling a boost in energy, especially during workouts. The first two weeks were apparently a gauntlet of longing for meat and cheese. However, as he leaned into « healthier foods like fruit and nuts, » he noticed his blood sugar stayed balanced and, surprisingly, he felt more energetic overall.
Ross, faithful to his omnivorous habits, told a different story. He felt his performance at the gym decreasing, a sensation of running out of steam and not reaching his top form. This was perhaps the most unexpected result, challenging the notion that plant-based diets might cause energy shortfalls compared to meatier menus.
The gut reaction: Microbiome magic and long-term implications
While muscles and midday energy are great, the experiment’s most significant revelations happened behind the scenes—in Hugo’s gut. Switching to plant proteins led to substantial changes in his intestinal microbiome (the vast community of friendly bacteria living in us all). Researchers found these new bacterial residents seemed to strengthen Hugo’s potential resistance to chronic diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes. In other words, what you eat might deeply affect your « inner ecosystem, » which in turn acts as a barometer for your overall well-being.
The study may have been limited to just two daring brothers (with a taste for adventure as well as legumes), but the Turner experiment offered a fresh, nuanced look into the ongoing debate about the pros and cons of vegan and omnivorous diets. Rather than declaring an all-out winner, their results suggest that both approaches have their own distinct advantages—be it a lighter physique or greater muscle gain—depending on your personal health goals.
So, next time you hesitate between tofu and turkey, remember: science (and a pair of dedicated twins) remind us there’s more than one path to health—and your microbiome might just thank you for a little veggie adventure.
John is a curious mind who loves to write about diverse topics. Passionate about sharing his thoughts and perspectives, he enjoys sparking conversations and encouraging discovery. For him, every subject is an invitation to discuss and learn.
