Identical Twins Put Their Genetics To The Test After One Goes Vegan And The Other Doesn’t—The Results Will Shock You

Same DNA, different diets. Who came out healthier?

Jesse

• Published in News
• November 25, 2024

Diet debates are as endless as they are passionate, dividing families, friendships, and social media feeds alike. Should you go vegan and save the planet one lentil at a time, or embrace the omnivore lifestyle, savoring steaks while chasing gains at the gym? 

With so many options—keto, paleo, vegetarian, pescatarian—it’s no wonder we’re drowning in advice. From your gym buddy boasting about his meat-fueled bench press to your co-worker who swears her plant-based diet cured her of stress (or at least her Monday mood swings), everyone seems to have an opinion, 

Social media has only fueled the fire, with influencers swearing allegiance to one diet while demonizing the rest. You’ve got the vegan evangelists claiming tofu can solve all your problems, while carnivore enthusiasts insist your body’s begging for a ribeye. 

So, who’s right? What diet is truly better for your body? And more importantly, how can we possibly get a definitive answer when personal bias and lifestyle factors muddy the waters?

This brings us to the ultimate dietary showdown: identical twins. With shared DNA, upbringing, and habits, twins provide a rare opportunity to test diets without the usual variables. 

Stanford University took advantage of this genetic jackpot, pitting vegan and omnivore diets against each other in a controlled experiment. As for the results, they were nothing short of fascinating.

Jevon and John Whittington spill the beans (and greens) on how two diets took their bodies in opposite directions.

The trial ran from May to July, and enlisted 22 pairs of identical twins—44 participants in total. It involved a side-by-side comparison of plant-based versus meat-based diets; it even made its way to Netflix as a documentary titled You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment. 

Participants were treated to 21 meticulously prepared meals by a catering service before taking control of their own menus for the final four weeks. Among these test subjects were Jevon and John Whittington, who revealed their wildly different health outcomes to the New York Post.

Both started the experiment in peak physical condition, with nearly identical body fat percentages and impressive cardiovascular health. However, after just two months of the study, their bodies told two very different stories.

The results prove that what’s on your fork can lead to some truly jaw-dropping results.

John, the twin who went vegan, saw remarkable improvements in his health. He shed visceral fat—the hidden and hazardous fat hugging your organs—dropping from 0.37 pounds to a barely-there 0.03 pounds. 

His insulin levels also dipped by 20%, and his bad cholesterol fell by 12%. These changes suggest that veganism might just be the MVP of heart health.

Jevon, who was on the omnivorous diet, flexed his own strengths—literally. While his visceral fat stayed nearly the same (a tiny drop from 0.22 to 0.21 pounds), he packed on a whopping 7.1 pounds of muscle compared to John’s 2.3-pound gain. Jevon’s results showed that an omnivore diet might be the go-to for those chasing gains in the gym.

Both brothers stuck to regular workouts, combining cardio, weight training, and intervals. Despite the dietary differences, neither emerged as the “better twin.” Instead, Jevon admitted they’ve since scaled back on meat and dairy while still enjoying a balanced approach.

The study highlights an undeniable truth: there’s no one-size-fits-all diet. Whether you’re slicing into steak or sautéing tofu, your goals dictate the best path forward. 

The Whittington twins’ story shows us that the secret isn’t about picking sides—it’s about finding balance. So, skip the diet wars and eat what fuels your best life. And hey, maybe binge that Netflix doc while you’re at it—it’s the ultimate food for thought.

Jesse