The inclination towards vegetarianism may be inherent within one's genetic makeup
A recent study suggests that adopting a meatless diet may not solely depend on an individual's willpower. The study, published in PLOS One on Wednesday, reveals that four genes are associated with an individual's ability to adhere to a vegetarian lifestyle. The lead author of the study, Dr. Nabeel Yaseen, a professor emeritus of pathology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, stated that genetics plays a significant role in vegetarianism, and some individuals may be genetically better suited for a vegetarian diet than others. While religious and cultural practices, health, moral, and environmental reasons motivate people to reduce or eliminate their meat consumption, they are not always successful. According to Yaseen, many self-described vegetarians report consuming meat products, indicating that genetics may be a contributing factor. The study did not identify who would or would not be genetically predisposed to vegetarianism, but researchers hope to address this question in future work. Dr. José , director of nutrition and genomics and professor of nutrition and genetics at Tufts University, believes that the study highlights the intricate connection between genes and dietary choices, suggesting that personalized dietary recommendations based on genetic predispositions may be possible in the future.
