Even after a short period of time, a vegan diet is associated with significant benefits in terms of general biological age, which is also known to be linked to age-related diseases. We experience real rejuvenation through a purely plant-based diet.
A new study involving experts from Stanford University examined how a purely plant-based or healthy omnivorous diet affects the so-called DNA methylation in the blood of twin pairs over a period of eight weeks. The results can be read in the journal “BMC Medicine”.
Vegan and omnivorous diets compared
Of 21 pairs of twins, one twin was fed an omnivorous diet while the other was vegan. The participants were on average 40 years old and had an average body mass index of 26, the team reports.
During the first four weeks of the study, participants consumed special meals prepared especially for them. During the second four weeks of the study, they had to prepare their own meals after receiving training in nutrition from experts.
Biological age decreased
After a change in diet over a period of eight weeks, the researchers observed a significant reduction in the estimated biological age of the participants who followed a vegan diet – measured by DNA methylation. In contrast, no similar effects were found in people who followed an omnivorous diet.
In addition, an eight-week vegan diet also had benefits for the heart, hormones, liver, inflammatory and metabolic systems compared to an omnivorous diet, the researchers said in a press release on the study results.
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Vegan diet promotes weight loss
The team also found that participants who followed a vegan diet lost an average of two kilograms more weight than those who ate meat. This difference was due to the different calorie content of the meals in the first four weeks of the study.
The researchers also suspect that the differences in weight loss could contribute to the observed different effects of the two diets on epigenetic age.
In any case, the study suggests that a vegan diet can contribute to significant weight loss and epigenetic benefits in terms of biological age after just a short period of time. (as)