Objectives: With the rise of consumers following vegan diets, it is important to understand how these diets impact different physiological measures. The objective of this study was to compare the impact of diet (vegan versus non-vegan) on anthropometry, epigenetic changes, and skin attributes.
Methods: Sixty-five healthy, age-matched women (20–50-year-old) that self-reported following a vegan (n=33) or non-vegan (n=32) diet for at least one year were enrolled and controlled for menopausal state, smoking, sun exposure, and limited supplement use. No intervention was tested in the study. Objective evaluation of skin attributes was performed by a trained grader during acclimatization. Each participant completed a dietary and lifestyle questionnaire at which time anthropomorphic measures were recorded (height, weight, blood pressure). Adhesive tape strip (D-Squame) samples were collected from two test areas on each participant and processed to measure differential methylation.
Results: Vegan participants exhibited measures consistent with healthier metabolic outcomes, i.e., lower BMI, and blood pressure than non-vegans (p < 0.05). Fine lines and wrinkles assessments exhibited a significant interaction with diet and age (p < 0.05), where vegan individuals had improved scores beginning in their late twenties. There were significant DNA methylation differences between vegans and non-vegan individuals (p < 0.05), irrespective of age. Women that follow a vegan diet exhibited higher methylation levels compared to women following a non-vegan diet. Women following a vegan diet included more fruits and vegetables (78% vs. 34% consuming once or more/day) and legumes and grains (61% vs. 28%, consuming 4-6 times/week) compared to women following a non-vegan diet.
Conclusions: Healthier metabolic outcomes and improved skin attributes in older vegan individuals suggest a vital role of a healthy diet for skin. With vegan individuals exhibiting higher methylation, this observational study serves to uncover potential pathways in the skin most affected by diet. Furthermore, these results will direct patient recruitment regarding diet as a confounding factor for future intervention studies.
