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Myth busting: A diet for your blood type?
The blood type diet has gained popularity over the years, suggesting that your ABO blood group can determine the best foods for you to eat. But is there any truth to these claims? Let's dive into the science behind the diet and see what the evidence says.
Does science support the blood type diet?
Despite its popularity, there’s very little scientific evidence to support the claimed benefits of the blood type diet. Research has not shown that following a diet based on your blood type leads to better health outcomes. A comprehensive review in 2013 found no evidence to support the health benefits of the blood type diet. In addition, we know that a healthy varied diet is important, and this diet could be too restrictive.
What is the blood type diet?
The blood type diet was popularised by Dr Peter D’Adamo in his 1996 book, "Eat Right 4 Your Type." According to Dr D’Adamo, each blood type (A, B, AB, and O) has specific dietary needs based on the genetic traits of our ancestors. He suggests that:
- Type A individuals should follow a vegetarian diet.
- Type B individuals should follow a varied diet including meat and dairy.
- Type AB individuals should follow a mix of type A and B diets.
- Type O individuals should follow a high-protein, meat-heavy diet.
How does the blood type diet work?
The core idea behind the blood type diet revolves around proteins called lectins. Lectins are found in many foods and can bind to carbohydrate molecules. Dr D’Adamo claims that certain lectins can cause clumping (agglutination) of blood cells in specific blood types, leading to various health issues. However, most lectins react with all blood types, not just specific ones, and cooking usually destroys these proteins, removing the risk of agglutination.
A diet for all blood types.
At Lifeblood, we might not be experts in nutrition, but we know our donors love a tasty treat post-donation. So, whether you're O negative or AB positive, don't forget to grab a party pie or something sweet after your next donation.
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