Hugo and Ross Turner are gearing up for their upcoming challenge.
The Turner twins have participated in five various studies, allowing researchers to examine how different diets and exercise routines impacted their bodies distinctly.
In one of their recent experiments, the twins followed separate diets—one high in carbohydrates and the other high in fats. Ross was assigned the high-carb diet, while Hugo opted for the high-fat regimen.
Hugo shared with UNILAD, “Ross has got really high cholesterol (really, really high), so I took the bullet for him and I did the high fat diet,” explaining why the diets were chosen this way.
The findings from the study concluded that a diet rich in carbohydrates is more advantageous for activities involving high-intensity running, lifting, and exercising, whereas a high-fat diet is better suited for low-intensity workouts.
Currently, the Turner twins are seeking suggestions from UNILAD readers for their next challenge.
They have proposed three options: a fasting vs non-fasting diet, a 1 rep vs 12 rep workout, and using ab simulator pads versus doing sit-ups.
Readers can vote by commenting below.
Due to their identical genetics, twins like Hugo and Ross are ideal candidates for such research studies.
An additional benefit of twin studies is the ability for researchers to determine the variance in traits due to genetic factors versus environmental influences, as described in a 2016 study available on the National Library of Medicine’s website.
The study states, “The use of twins can improve the statistical power of a genetic study by reducing the amount of genetic and/or environmental variability; the extent to which different assumptions matter may depend on which trait is being studied.”
Among their most prominent challenges, Ross and Hugo explored a meat vs vegan diet. Hugo, who took on the vegan side of the experiment, discussed with UNILAD the challenges of maintaining a plant-based diet, specifically the difficulty in finding vegan-friendly dishes and recipes.
One particular item he missed was garlic bread.
“I got so annoyed one day about being vegan,” he recalled. “I said, ‘Right, I’m just gonna go buy garlic bread, and that’s it’.’ And I came back, and then a friend was like, ‘It’s got butter in’.
Frustrated upon discovering it wasn’t vegan, Hugo “literally threw [the bread] across the room” after the revelation (a reaction many might relate to).