The so-called blood type diet has been around for more than two decades. As its name suggests, it consists of eating foods based on your blood type. In this article, we’ll provide a quick overview of the blood type diet basics and see how effective it really is.
The Rules of the Blood Type Diet
In 1996, Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo came up with the concept of this diet. He believed that each of the four ABO blood types carried a unique group of genetic traits. According to him, these traits also included the types of foods that helped our ancestors prosper.
Based on this premise, he developed the following diet plan:
- Type A: If you’re type-A, your diet should consist mostly of plant-based foods. At the same time, you should avoid eating red meat, which could have a toxic effect on your body.
- Type B: You can eat both meats and plants, but should avoid pork and chicken. Some dairy products are also allowed. Other foods to avoid include tomatoes, wheat, and lentils.
- Type AB: Just like your blood type is a combination of type A and type B, your diet should be, too. You should also eat seafood and beans while avoiding chicken, beef, and corn.
- Type O: Your diet should be very rich in animal-based protein. This means that you should eat lots of meat and fish, as well as moderate amounts of dairy. Fruits and vegetables are also recommended.
Does This Method Work?
No studies were able to prove the positive health effects of the blood type diet. But one study found that eating a type-A diet helped improve health markers in a group of people. However, the effects were the same regardless of their blood type.
That’s likely because all four diet plans focus on healthy foods and eliminate highly processed junk foods. As such, any of them could mark an improvement over the traditional Western diet.
Final Word
There’s no scientific evidence to back up the basic premise of this diet. Still, because it combines healthy foods, you can try it to see if it works for you. Also, it is always best to talk to a nutritionist before making any major changes to your current diet plan.
