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The experiment spanned 12 weeks, with both men consuming the same number of calories.
A pair of identical twins begun an experiment to discover how different diets might affect the body—and the results may be surprising.
There’s no universal approach to diet that works for everyone.
Harvard University experts suggest eating a balanced mix of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, proteins, and healthy plant oils.
Many individuals, however, experiment with intense diets like Keto, Paleo, or Intermittent Fasting in hopes of reaping health benefits.
But do specific diets really change the body? That’s what identical twins Hugo and Ross Turner set out to find.
The two, who share identical genetic material, wanted to test whether their bodies would react differently to two contrasting diets over the course of 12 weeks.
Partnering with Kings College London, Hugo committed to a vegan diet, while Ross followed a plan that included meat, dairy, and fish.
Before starting, the Turner twins were instructed to consume the same number of calories daily and perform identical workouts—making diet the only variable in the experiment.
During an interview with the BBC, Hugo admitted that the vegan diet took a toll on his body early on.
“I think the first couple of weeks, I was really craving meat, dairy, and cheese. I love cheese,” he shared.
Nevertheless, he later acknowledged the benefits of eliminating animal products.
“By eating fruit, nuts, and dairy-free alternatives, I ended up consuming much more wholesome foods. This helped stabilize my sugar levels throughout the day, and I felt more energized,” Hugo explained.
On the other hand, Ross, who ate meat, noticed his gym performance fluctuated.
“Some days I felt extremely energetic, but other days I experienced huge energy dips,” he said.
However, Hugo did notice a significant drop in the diversity of his gut bacteria, while Ross’s gut microbiome remained steady, making Ross less susceptible to illnesses.
Ultimately, the twins concluded that there wasn’t much difference, if any, between the two diets.
Despite this, Hugo experienced significant changes. His cholesterol dropped dramatically, he lost weight, and his resistance to type 2 diabetes improved.
Ross also had a realization after seeing his brother’s healthy vegan meals. He became more aware of how much processed food he was consuming.
The vegan diet was more effective in reducing body fat. Hugo lost four pounds and decreased his body fat percentage by 1%.
In contrast, Ross gained 10 pounds of muscle but also added fat, increasing his body fat percentage from 13% to 15%.
