Could eliminating animal products from your diet help you age healthily? A recent American study suggests that following a vegan diet, even for a short period, is associated with longevity benefits.
In recent years, scientific literature has increasingly highlighted the health benefits of a vegan diet. Researchers have demonstrated that adopting this way of eating can help manage type 1 diabetes, improve cardiovascular health, reduce urinary tract infections, and alleviate menstrual pain.
A Study Comparing 22 Pairs of Twins
A study conducted in the United States and published in late July established a link between following a vegan diet and a longer lifespan. To reach this conclusion, American researchers monitored 22 pairs of identical twins over eight weeks. Of the 44 participants, 22 agreed to follow a diet free of any animal products, while their twin continued with a meat-based diet.
The aim was to examine the potential benefits of a vegan diet on longevity, focusing on the principles of epigenetics—a field of scientific research that investigates how environmental factors can lead to chemical changes in gene expression (known as methylation).
Biological Age Altered by Diet
The choice to study twins, who share nearly identical DNA but whose genes can be influenced by lifestyle factors such as diet, is particularly insightful. This research specifically looked at the epigenetic clock (biological age), which is calculated based on methylation patterns.
“The specific epigenetic clock and the predictive effects of a vegan diet, compared to an omnivorous diet, remain underexplored despite their potential impact on aging-related outcomes,” note the study’s authors.
At the end of the experiment, the researchers observed that the twins who followed a vegan diet showed significant reductions in the overall acceleration of their epigenetic age, which the researchers directly attribute to the benefits of plant-based diets.
