Ashima Sharda Mahindra • 27 Sep 2024
The Blood Type Diet: Should You Eat Foods According To Your Blood Group?
Popularized by Dr. Peter D’Adamo, the diet claims to work for an individual depending on their ABO blood type
In today's times, when most people – young or old, struggle with their health and immunity levels – merely eating healthy foods would not suffice. According to experts, to improve your overall health and well-being you must consume meals that are aligned with your blood group as they not only optimize digestion, and boost energy levels but can also potentially reduce the risk of certain diseases.
What is blood type diet?
Experts say your blood type influences how your body reacts to certain foods due to the presence of lectins – proteins that bind to carbohydrates and are found in plants, animals, and other species that interact with your blood cells.
The blood type diet is a popular diet, even though very little scientific research supports its claimed benefits. According to one study conducted in 2014, eating a type A diet of fruits and vegetables is associated with better health markers. Popularized in 1996 by Dr. Peter D’Adamo in his book Eat Right 4 Your Type, the diet claims to work for an individual depending on their ABO blood type. It can have benefits like improved health and decreased risk of chronic diseases.
According to the diet, your blood type - based on genetics, categorizes foods you can consume reflecting the diet your ancestors would have consumed. According to Dr. D’Adamo blood types evolved from different societies, and so, they each have an optimal diet:
Type A
Also known as Agrarian, it thrives on mostly vegetarian foods
Type B
Is called Nomadic and usually includes dairy foods
Type AB
Or enigma – consists of a mixture of type A and B diets
Type O
Also called hunter, is supposedly the oldest blood type and thrives on a high animal protein diet.
How does the blood type diet work?
According to Dr. D’ Adamo, the blood type diet mostly depends on lectins – which if your blood type does not agree with can cause negative effects, a few of which include nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, stomachache, and other gastric discomforts.
Blood type diet says eating the wrong types of lectins can cause red blood cells to clump together – increasing your risk of diseases.
Foods that you can eat according to your blood type
A few foods that you must eat for every blood type, as recommended by Dr. D’Adamo, include:
Blood group A
Recommended foods according to blood group A, include:
- Soy
- Eggs
- Broccoli
- Fennel
- Carrots
- Pumpkin
- Blueberries
- Apricots
- Grapefruit
- Tofu
- Cherries
Foods to avoid
A few foods that you can avoid, according to blood group A type diet, are:
- Beans
- Eggplants
- Tomatoes
Blood group B
Foods that are recommended for those with blood group B, include:
- Beetroot
- Cow’s milk
- Cottage cheese
- Yogurt
- Almonds
- Grapes
- Eggplant
- Peppers
- Kidney beans
- Cranberries
- Lamb
Foods to avoid
A few foods to avoid by blood group B people, according to this diet, include:
- Chicken
- Corn
- Soy
- Lentils
Type AB
Those with this blood group can eat:
- Watermelon
- Cauliflower
- Walnuts
- Lentils
- Eggs
- Figs
- Milk
- Yogurt
- Peanut butter
- Garlic
- Red wine
- Lamb
Foods to avoid
A few foods that blood group AB types should avoid are:
- Corn
- Chicken
- Bananas
Type O
People with type O blood group should eat:
- Poultry
- Kale
- Onion
- Spinach
- Olive oil
- Ginger
- Lamb
- Butter
- bananas
- Fish
- Mangoes
- Almonds
Foods to avoid
For type O, foods they can avoid, include:
- Wheat
- Soybean oil
- Kidney beans
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