In 2020, identical twins Hugo and Ross Turner—known for their daring adventures—decided to take on a very different kind of challenge: a 12-week diet experiment. Instead of trekking across frozen landscapes or scaling mountains, they turned their attention to nutrition, inspired by the growing buzz and controversy around vegan diets for athletes, fueled in part by documentaries like The Game Changers. From January to March, they set out to compare how a vegan diet versus an omnivorous diet would affect two genetically identical people—themselves. To make the experiment fair, they kept their fitness routines identical. Ross, a personal trainer, designed a workout plan that included endurance training five to six days a week. Their meals were prepared by the Mindful Chef delivery service to ensure they consumed roughly the same number of calories each day. Hugo committed fully to a vegan diet, while Ross stuck with an omnivorous approach. Researchers at King’s College London tracked key health metrics—such as weight, cholesterol levels, and muscle mass—throughout the study.
A vegan diet, centered on whole, plant-based foods, is known for lowering the risk of heart disease and improving overall health. Built around vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, it’s naturally low in saturated fats while being rich in heart-healthy fats, fiber, and a wide range of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. These nutrients work together to boost the body’s defenses against disease. Studies consistently show that vegans and vegetarians tend to have lower blood pressure, reduced LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and in some cases, better blood sugar control and lower inflammation levels. That said, researchers note that the generally healthier lifestyle habits common among plant-based eaters—such as exercising more and drinking less alcohol—also play a big role in reducing disease risk.
By week four, the twins started noticing real differences. Hugo, on the vegan plan, said he felt more energized during workouts and mentally sharper. He credited much of this to healthier snacking—he swapped biscuits and chips for fruit and nuts, a natural fit for his plant-based restrictions. Physically, Hugo slimmed down. Starting at 185 pounds and 13% body fat, he dropped to 181 pounds and 12% body fat by the end of the experiment. His cholesterol levels also improved. However, he did experience one unexpected side effect: a noticeable drop in libido while on the vegan diet.
Ross’s results were quite different. Already slightly larger than Hugo at the start, Ross gained 10 pounds of muscle but also saw his body fat rise to 15%. His cholesterol levels stayed about the same throughout. Sticking to an omnivorous diet seemed to support muscle growth, but it came with extra fat gain too.
One of the more fascinating findings came from analyzing their gut microbiomes—the trillions of bacteria living in the digestive tract. Fecal samples tested by Atlas Biomed revealed that Hugo’s microbiome changed in ways that could boost resistance to chronic conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, both brothers saw a decrease in microbial diversity, a change often linked to lower resilience against illnesses like Crohn’s disease.
The Turner twins were quick to admit that 12 weeks is a short window for a meaningful nutrition study. If they could redo the experiment, they’d stretch it to six months or even a year for more comprehensive results. Still, they walked away with valuable insights. Both agreed that neither diet was “better” overall—each had its own benefits. Hugo and Ross now aim to include more plant-based foods in their regular meals, and they recommend that others, especially die-hard meat-eaters, start small by swapping out snacks for vegan-friendly options.
This dietary experiment joins a long list of unusual challenges the twins have tackled. In 2015, they climbed Mt. Elbrus, Europe’s highest peak. They also famously recreated Sir Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 expedition across Greenland, using only vintage gear. Whether braving icy extremes or testing the limits of nutrition, the Turner twins remain committed to pushing boundaries and sharing what they learn about the incredible capabilities of the human body, mind, and spirit.
