One Month of Vegan Eating Alters Gene Activity Tied to Aging and Inflammation, Trial Finds

A randomized clinical trial found that switching to a vegan diet for four weeks can alter gene activity, impacting immune function, metabolism, and cancer-related processes. Researchers from UC San Diego and the University of Freiburg analyzed blood from 48 healthy adults who followed either a vegan or meat-rich diet for one month. The vegan group showed reduced inflammation and a slowed biological aging process, according to epigenetic analysis.

The study revealed that DNA methylation, which regulates gene activity, responded measurably to diet changes in just four weeks. While the results are promising, the small study size and short duration of the trial limit the generalizability of the findings. Larger studies are needed to determine if these epigenetic changes persist over time and lead to meaningful improvements in long-term health.