We’re identical twins but one of us went vegan and it made one big health difference – New York Post
Posted: January 16, 2024 at 2:46 am
Health
By Jeanette Settembre
Published Jan. 10, 2024, 5:00 a.m. ET
Its a tale of two twins.
Twins Jevon and John Whittington are identical down to their height (56), weight and what they eat.
Then they decided to go on a polar opposite diet for science: one went vegan, the other chowed down on meat, seafood, eggs and dairy and only one came out more trim.
The 23-year-old Buffalo-based, both recent nursing school graduates, volunteered for a Stanford University experiment putting them on the opposing diets, which are featured in the new Netflix show You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment.
In total 22 pairs took part in the experiment, between May and July 2022, which asked for identical twins because their shared DNA, upbringing and usually lifestyles help cut out other genetic and environmental factors which also affect our health.
John and the 22 other vegan twins followed the vegan diet precisely: not just no meat, but no animal products including milk and eggs.
And Jevon and 22 others were put on the omnivore diet, meanwhile, including chicken, fish, eggs, cheese, dairy and other animal products.
Both diets were designed to be healthy with vegetables, legumes, fruits and whole grains and lacking sugar, processed food and refined starches.
It was a major change for the Whittingtons. Weve pretty much been eating the same thing our whole lives our diets growing up was a lot of rice, chicken, fish, crab legs, John told The Post. Most people couldnt tell us a part.
The pair started shredded thanks to working out since they were 12, thanks to having a pro-body builder for a dad, John Whittington Jr.
My dad gave us the gift of fit we liken our affinity for taking care of our bodies to him, Jevon told The Post.
At the beginning of the vegan diet, Johns body fat was already an admirable 11.1%, he weighed in at 137.2 pounds with 0.37 pounds, almost precisely 6oz, of visceral fat, the sort which develops around the center of the body and is regarded as being dangerous for long-term health.
Jevon, the meat-eater, had nearly identical body fat 11% at the beginning of the experiment, and weighed just over a pound more at 138.6 with 0.22 pounds of visceral fat.
Within one week, vegan John was already craving his favorites such as lemon pepper chicken wings, but says he satiated the craving with alternative meat products.
I was trying plant-based meat products like plant-based Cajun chicken and veggie burgers, he told The Post.
During the experiment the twins worked out doing cardio a few days a week, weight training and high intensity interval training.
By the end of the study, John lost 0.19 pounds of visceral fat from following the vegan diet, leaving him with just 0.03 pounds less than half an ounce around his middle.
By comparison, on the omnivore diet Jevons visceral fat dropped by one point from 0.22 pounds to 0.21 pounds meaning he lost less than half an ounce of fat.
But a diet which included meat proved to produce more muscle, with Jevon bulking up an extra 7.1 pounds of muscle after the eight weeks, compared to his brother, who gained 2.3 pounds.
Internally, the vegan diet turned out better: it led to a 20% decline in insulin levels, and a 12% drop in bad cholesterol (LDL), along with a decrease in overall body weight although the omnivore diet did not have any negative effects on health.
Whats more important than going strictly vegan is including more plant-based foods into your diet, said Christopher Gardner,Rehnborg Farquhar Professor of Medicine at Stanford University. The study was published in November in the medical journal, JAMA Network Open.
Despite the results, the twins reverted back to their meat-eating ways after the study culminated since their results werent drastically different from how they started.
We cut back on red meat and dairy, Jevon said.
But it proved to us that we can continue to eat way were eating.
Originally posted here:
We're identical twins but one of us went vegan and it made one big health difference - New York Post
- Vegan Vengeance [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Glazar: Making Jill Skeem's Spinach, Mushroom and Onion Lasagna [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Native Foods Cafe to open Tuesday with vegan bites, kale for the lunch crowd [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Vegan.org | A project of Vegan Action [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Veganism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- What Is a Vegan? What Do Vegans Eat? - About [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Going vegan for a month - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Vegan Weight Loss Popular Life Style That Aids Weight Loss - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- WHY I'M A VEGAN - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- PEANUT BUTTER HOT CHOCOLATE Guilt-Free, Healthy & Vegan - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- What's the hardest thing about going vegan? - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Portland VegFest Haul: vegan food, apparel, and supplements! - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Vegan Chocolate Shake ChallengeShakeology Recipe | Autumn Fitness - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Strawberry muffins - Recipe by The Vegan Corner - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Veganism in a Nutshell -- The Vegetarian Resource Group [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Sicilian fennel and orange salad - Raw recipe by The Vegan Corner - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Vegan Kale Caesar Salad Recipe - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Spontan Vegan - Folge 2 - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Portrait Beaut spcial Vegan - Marina - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- VBMC - Vegan Cuts Oct Snack Box Sneak Peek - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Vegan Blood Test, RAAM Training and Living Simply Update - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- 80/10/10 Vegan Diet - Fact & Fiction - BEXLIFE - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Vegan Humour: David Wolfe Strikes Again! - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- SCREW Salad! Vegan Epic Meal Time! - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Sigina Pop: Dieta raw vegan, o opiune pentru a slbi? - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Great Vegan Recipes(2): The Tofu Peanut Butter Cookies and The Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Raw Vegan Detox Pt 2 - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- What I Ate Saturday- Vegan - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Petit Vour: September 2014 box! Luxury Vegan/Cruelty-Free Subscription | BeautyInAmin - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Vlog EP 2 - Starbucks, Farmers Market & Vegan Enchilada's! - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Day 27 of a 30 Day Vegan Challenge. - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Raw Vegan Pizza with Sauce and Cheese - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Peta2 brings new vegan options to campus P.O.D. Markets [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Healthier Thriftier Vegan Caramel Frappucino - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Organic Vegan Gyro - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Sexiest Vegan over 50, FARM Fast, Vegfest Schedule, Walruses Haul-out - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Warum Vegan High Carb Low Fat? und wie ich zu HCLF gekommen bin bergewicht Diabetes - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- The best cheezy beet & kale chip recipe (dairy-free, vegan, raw) - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Super-Slow Bench Press: Vegan Pro Natural Physique Ivan Blazquez - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Minister Enqi VEGAN BABIES LIVE - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- London wild park animals [VEGAN-BADASS-TV E1] - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Breastfeeding in Sams Club Yummy Raw Vegan Spinach Dip and Daniel Tiger - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Antioxidants are a big part of my Raw Vegan Diet - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- How To Make Easy Hummus Dipping Sauce (Oil-Free, Low Fat, Vegan, RawTill4) - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- 36 Weeks Pregnant High Carb Vegan - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Eating Vegan is for the Wealthy, Privileged, Elite - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Cooking With Research - Vegan Banana Smoothie Episode 2 - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Thesis Speech on the vegan diet - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Vegan protein, where to get it! Can you beat the egg? - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Vegan Hunting Lesson, Part 2 -- Pumpkin - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Part 2 - Social Situations on a Raw Vegan / Whole Foods Pla - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Leigh-Chantelle interviews Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, Joyful Vegan - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- IS VEGAN A CLASS THING PART 2 - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- Raw Vegan on a Budget - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- RawTill4 Fresh Homemade Salsa and Pita Chips Vegan - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- The Vegan Sweet Beat: Licorice - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- 6 Tips For How To Go Vegan + Little Sing Song - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- Green Festival -Beyond Meat: A Vegan Option - Green With Tiffany - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- Healthy Vegan Lunch When Low On Fruits RawTill4...Almost 🙂 - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- 30 Days a Vegan #1 - Vorbereitung ist alles: No Excuses! - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- Iron Chef Cook-Off: Challenging Healthy Vegan! |Edgy Veg - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- Sneak Peek: October Vegan Cuts Snack Box - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- What's Cooking? - Vegan Brownies - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- Non-Vegan Spouses, Lucid Dreams, and the Nature of Reality - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- Non-Vegans Try Vegan Food | Vegan Cuts Unboxing! - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- Tofu in a Cheesy Vegan Tomato Sauce in 3 minutes! - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- My Vegan Banana Smoothie part 1 - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- Kawaii Vegan Kiiroitori Bento Box - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- The Synergy of My Yoga Practice, Vegan Lifestyle and Ahimsa - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- Vegan Food Haul - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- Vegan Cuts September Beauty Box & Snack Box | GIVEAWAY - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- Broke Hungry Vegan sizzle reel at Peace Pies - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- Sacramento restaurants challenge you to eat vegan - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- Vegan Tag - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- Why I Gave 2 Macbooks Away to the Vegan Cafe - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants, Healthy, Organic, Hoboken ... [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2014]
- High as a Kite with this No Fat Raw Vegan Detox - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2014]
- VEGAN CHOCOLATE PUDDING #vegan #healthy #dessert #veganlife #healthychoices #yummy #recipes - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2014]
- Vegan Pasta Caprese - Oil Free, RawTill4 friendly - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2014]
- Flu Shots, Probiotics and Healing Foods - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2014]