A study with 22 pairs of identical twins found that a vegan diet significantly improves cardiovascular health in just eight weeks. By focusing on twins, the study effectively controlled for genetic and lifestyle variations, revealing that a vegan diet led to lower LDL cholesterol, insulin levels, and body weight, which are key indicators of cardiovascular health. The research underscores the benefits of a plant-based diet, advocating for its adoption for long-term health improvements.
A trial led by Stanford Medicine, involving identical twins and comparing vegan diets with omnivorous diets, demonstrated that a vegan diet improves overall cardiovascular health.
In a study conducted by Stanford Medicine and their collaborators involving 22 pairs of identical twins, it was discovered that following a vegan diet can improve cardiovascular health within a span of just eight weeks.
Although it’s well-known that eating less meat improves cardiovascular health, diet studies are often hampered by factors such as genetic differences, upbringing, and lifestyle choices. By studying identical twins, however, the researchers were able to control for genetics and limit the other factors, as the twins grew up in the same households and reported similar lifestyles.
“Not only did this study provide a groundbreaking way to assert that a vegan diet is healthier than the conventional omnivore diet, but the twins were also a riot to work with,” said Christopher Gardner, Ph.D., the Rehnborg Farquhar Professor and a professor of medicine. “They dressed the same, they talked the same and they had a banter between them that you could have only if you spent an inordinate amount of time together.”
The study was recently published in the journal DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.44457
The study was funded by the Vogt Foundation; the Stanford Clinical and Translational Science Award; and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.