Everyone has a blood type. Each person belongs to one of the 8 types of blood groups O+, O-, A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+ and AB-, that have their own unique properties. Several studies have linked blood types to one's risk of heart disease, how delectable it is or can be to mosquitoes and more. Experts have also claimed eating a diet based on one's blood group can also prove healthy and weight-loss friendly. But how much of it is really true?
In his book, Eat Right 4 Your Type, published 1996, naturopathic physician Dr. Peter D'Adamo, has introduced his readers to the Blood Type Diet. The idea behind this type of diet is that every food one eats reacts chemically with one's blood type. This means that if you eat foods designed for your blood type, it can be digested more effectively and will provide your body with optimal benefits.
Foods to eat, as per your blood type
According to D'Adamo, here's a look at the foods best suited for your blood group.
Type A
People with type A blood group should avoid having meat products and must include fruits and vegetables, beans and legumes, and whole grains to their diet. This is because type A blood has a 'sensitive immune system.'
Type B
Eat green vegetables, eggs, certain meats, and have low-fat dairy. Avoid having corn, wheat, buckwheat, lentils, tomatoes, peanuts, and sesame seeds. While certain meats are allowed, chicken should be avoided.
Type AB
People of this blood group should have seafood, tofu, dairy, beans, greens and grains but should avoid corn, beef and chicken. Those with AB type blood have low stomach acid. Caffeine, alcohol, and smoked or cured meats should not be eaten.
Type O
Those belonging to this blood type can eat a high-protein diet, which includes lean meat, poultry, fish, and vegetables. They can go easy on grains, beans, and dairy.
What are the limitations?
There can be several limitations when it comes to the Blood Type Diet. For instance, you have to follow it strictly, which means it can dictate your cooking and shopping list, while also keeping you away from certain nutrition.
Those with pre-existing health conditions may not be able to stick to this strict plan as they also have to pay close attention to other factors. For example, if a person has diabetes, they may have to adhere to a more practical diet approach, according to the American Diabetes Association. Following a blood type diet demands one to follow eating foods as per their blood group, which cannot work for diabetic patients.
Does this type of diet actually work?
Most of the food plans introduced in D'Adamo's book focuses on eating healthy and avoiding processed foods, which is known to aid in weight loss and overall health.
However, a comprehensive study was done in 2013 by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that found "no evidence to validate the purported health benefits of blood type diets."
