Stanford University completed a study back in November that proves the benefits of a vegan diet. Many nutritionists had previously argued that long-term health was as much a result of genes as a healthy diet is. Stanford studied 22 sets of identical twins long-term — one twin ate an omnivorous diet and the other twin ate a vegan diet. (Identical twins share more of the same genes than fraternal twins.)
The study found that after eight weeks, twins following a healthy vegan diet experienced:
- Reduced LDL cholesterol: By an average of 14%, a significant factor in lowering heart disease risk.
Lower fasting insulin levels: By 20%, indicating improved blood sugar control and potentially reducing diabetes risk. - Greater weight loss: An average of 4.2 pounds more compared to the omnivorous group, contributing to overall health.
- These findings suggest that a well-planned vegan diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, can positively impact key health markers related to heart disease, diabetes, and weight management.