One Twin Is Vegetarian, the Other Eats Meat — Who’s Healthier? A Study Reveals a Surprising Result

Following identical workout routines and similar diets, except one follows a vegetarian lifestyle and the other eats meat — which twin ends up healthier?

 

 

Ross and Hugo Turner, 36, from Christow in Devon, UK, both took daily vitamins and followed the same exercise and diet plan for six months, with just one key difference: Hugo ate a plant-based diet, while Ross consumed animal products.

During the study, Hugo supplemented his nutrition with plant-based liquid vitamins, such as seaweed extracts. He also used vegan omega-3 oil derived from ocean plants instead of fish.

Meanwhile, Ross took an equivalent daily vitamin derived from animal sources.

At the end of the study, blood tests showed that Hugo — the twin who followed a vegan supplementation plan — had significantly higher levels of key nutrients in his bloodstream compared to his brother.

Throughout the experiment, the twins had their blood tested regularly to monitor levels of fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.

In a social media video sharing their results, Ross stated: “Midway through, our blood test results showed only minor differences. But the final results really highlighted the biggest changes.”

After six months, Hugo’s blood work revealed noticeable benefits from plant-based supplements, particularly a marked improvement in his omega-3 levels and a significant increase in vitamin D3.

Omega-3, found in oily fish and walnuts, is known to benefit brain and heart health, while vitamin D is essential for maintaining strong bones, teeth, and muscles.

Some studies suggest that a vegan diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, and nuts may reduce the risk of heart disease, lower biological age, and even promote weight loss.

However, other research warns that over the long term, a vegan diet could lead to nutrient deficiencies and may not be suitable for all age groups.

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Other Interesting Comparisons

In 2023, the twins also experimented to see whether longer workouts provided more benefits than shorter sessions.

Over 12 weeks, Hugo trained for 20 minutes per session while Ross doubled that, training for 40 minutes.

The results showed that their physical strength and fitness levels improved to nearly the same extent.

Earlier this year, Hugo followed a high-fat, low-carb diet, consuming most of his calories from olive oil, butter, nuts, eggs, and avocados.

Meanwhile, Ross switched to a high-carb diet, eating more foods like pasta and rice, while reducing fat intake.

Both continued to eat lean protein sources like chicken and protein shakes.

After 12 weeks, Ross had gained 2.2 pounds of muscle and lost 2 pounds of fat. He also reduced his cholesterol levels and dropped his visceral fat (the most dangerous type linked to chronic diseases) from 11.5% to 11.1%.

Hugo, however, appeared worse off on the high-fat diet. He gained 6.6 pounds, lost only 0.6 pounds of fat, saw no changes in cholesterol, and increased his visceral fat from 11.4% to 12.6%.

Now, the British twins are planning a new 12-week experiment to compare intermittent fasting versus non-fasting diets, aiming to understand how this popular weight loss trend affects the body.