BEING a vegetarian may be down to our genes, a study claims.
Scientists found three “strongly linked” to the ability to stick to strict plant-based diets and 31 “potentially associated”.
A study found genes ‘strongly linked’ and ‘potentially associated’ with the ability to stick to strict plant-based dietsGetty
Several, including two of the top three, are involved in metabolism.
The researchers suggest meat contains lipid components — fatty compounds key to metabolism — that some people need.
But those whose genetics favour vegetarianism produce the same lipids internally — meaning they can shun meat easily.
Prof Nabeel Yaseen, of Northwestern University in the US, said: “Are all humans capable of subsisting long term on a strict vegetarian diet?
“This is a question that has not been seriously studied.”
“It seems more people would like to be vegetarian than actually are, and we think it’s because there is something hard-wired here that people may be missing.”
He added: “One area in which plant products differ from meat is complex lipids.
“My speculation is there may be lipid components present in meat that some people need.
“And maybe people whose genetics favour vegetarianism are able to synthesise these components endogenously.
“However, at this time, this is mere speculation and much more work needs to be done to understand the physiology of vegetarianism.”
The team studied genetics data on more than 5,300 strict vegetarians.