For years, debates have raged over whether a vegan diet or an omnivorous one is healthier. Two British twins, Ross and Hugo Turner, decided to put the question to the test—using themselves as the experiment. The results, after three months of identical training and carefully prepared meals, reveal just how differently our bodies can respond to diet.
A controlled experiment with no shortcuts
Ross and Hugo Turner, often nicknamed the “adventurer guinea pigs”, are no strangers to pushing limits. At 32, the identical twins decided to make their own bodies the testing ground for one of nutrition’s most heated discussions.
Under the supervision of researchers at King’s College London, both men consumed the same number of calories each day and trained side by side with endurance workouts five to six times per week. The only difference? Hugo went fully vegan, while Ross stuck to an omnivorous diet. Their health—weight, cholesterol, muscle mass—was monitored throughout the experiment.
The vegan twin: lighter, leaner, more energetic
After 12 weeks, Hugo, the vegan twin, had shed about a kilo and reduced his body fat by 1%. His cholesterol levels also dropped. But the change he noticed most wasn’t on the scale—it was in his energy levels.
“The first two weeks were tough,” he admitted, craving meat, cheese, and dairy. But once his body adjusted, Hugo found himself reaching for fruits, nuts, and plant-based alternatives. The result? More consistent blood sugar and a steady supply of energy throughout the day. “I felt sharper during workouts, like I had a bit more in the tank,” he explained.
The omnivore twin: muscle gains but less stamina
Ross, meanwhile, built significant strength. His omnivorous plan helped him pack on 5 kilograms of muscle in just three months, along with a 2% increase in body fat. His cholesterol stayed stable.
Yet despite the muscle gains, Ross said his daily performance wasn’t always optimal. Some days he felt flat, and he struggled to match Hugo’s sustained energy during long training sessions.
Gut health: where the biggest differences appeared
Perhaps the most fascinating results came from their gut microbiome. Researchers observed that Hugo’s switch from animal to plant proteins caused noticeable shifts in his gut bacteria. These changes are thought to strengthen resistance against chronic conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.
For Ross, the microbiome changes were less pronounced, suggesting that diet diversity—particularly plant-based foods—plays a key role in gut health and long-term resilience.
So which diet “won”?
The experiment didn’t crown a clear winner. Instead, it highlighted the trade-offs. A vegan diet seemed to boost energy, cholesterol levels, and gut health, while an omnivorous one supported muscle growth and strength gains.
What’s clear is that even with identical genetics and lifestyles, diet alone can send our bodies down very different paths. For the Turner twins, the real lesson wasn’t about choosing one diet forever—it was about understanding how food fuels the body in ways we might not expect.
And if their three-month journey proves anything, it’s that the old saying still holds true: you really are what you eat.
You might also like:
David Miller is an entertainment expert with a passion for film, music, and series. With eight years in cultural criticism, he takes you behind the scenes of productions and studios. His energetic style guides you to the next big releases and trending sensations.
Source link
