Identical twins go on separate vegan and meat diets with clear health benefit outcome

Have you ever wondered what would actually happen to your body if you ditched meat and dairy?

Well, a pair of identical twins decided to put it to the test, with one going vegan while the other carried on eating meat and dairy.

The debate over whether we're better off eating more meat or ditching animal products altogether has been going on for years, with both vegans and carnivores having plenty to say on the subject.

So, researchers decided to settle it the scientific way, putting brothers Hugo and Ross on very different diets for 12 weeks.

And the results weren't quite as straightforward as you might expect.

The study

Back in 2021, Hugo and Ross Turned were filmed by the BBC as they took on opposite diets for 12 weeks.

Hugo was to follow a plant-based diet, while Ross was allowed to eat meat, dairy and fish.

Conducted by King’s College London, the study had them consuming the same amount of calories a day as well as following the same gym routine.

One went vegan while the other followed an omnivore diet. (Instagram/@theturnertwiins)

'I felt like I had more energy'

During the short film, Hugo explained: “I was on the vegan diet and it really does take a hit on your body.

“I think the first couple of weeks it was really craving and wanting meat and dairy and cheese. I love cheese.

“I was now having to eat fruit and nuts and alternatives that didn’t have any dairy in them - and so that meant I was eating a lot more wholesome food, which meant that my sugar levels were a lot satiated during the day. I felt like I had more energy.”

While Ross said his meat-eating journey was up-and-down, especially when it came to the gym.

He said he often felt ‘very energetic’ but at other times would experience ‘huge lulls’.

Hugo’s plant-based diet meant his energy levels remained pretty much consistent throughout the entire process.

However, he found the diversity of his gut bacteria ‘severely’ dropped, while his brother’s stayed the same meaning he was less likely to pick up illnesses.

One thing Ross noticed was how much processed food he was eating when he peered at what his brother’s vegan meals looked like.

There wasn't a 'huge difference'. (BBC)

The results - disappointing but with clear benefit

A little disappointingly perhaps, it seemed as though there were no ground-breaking results or differences at the end of the study.

One thing Hugo did see was his cholesterol levels drop ‘off the scale’, while also losing weight and boosting his resistance to type two diabetes.

According to Insider, at the start of the diet, Hugo weighed 185 pounds and had 13 percent body fat.

By the end of the 12 weeks, he weighed 181 pounds and dropped to 12 percent body fat.

In comparison, Ross also had 13 percent body fat at the start, but he put on 10 pounds of muscle, and also gained fat, bringing his end body fat percentage up to 15 percent and his weight to 189 pounds.