Finding the right diet to help us lose weight can be difficult. There is no single diet that works for everyone. For example, a low-carb diet may work for you, but a high-protein diet may better help your friend. Let’s talk about the origins of blood type diets, what each blood type should eat, and if science supports it.
Origin of the Blood Type diet
Dr. Peter D’Adamo introduced the blood type diet in 1990. He believed the antigens which determine our blood type may influence how we digest food. Dr. D’Adamo suggested that antigens from our blood could respond to proteins called lectins. Many foods contain lectins. He hypothesized that different blood types would react differently to lectins.
The Four Blood Type Diets
Dr. D’Adamo has developed a set of guidelines that will give you a general idea about what to eat depending on your blood type.
- If you have type-O blood, you need to eat more meat and avoid dairy products and grains.
- You may wish to become vegetarian if you have blood of type A.
- You can get away with eating a less strict diet if you have blood type B.
- If you have AB blood type, then you need to combine the vegetarian A and relaxed B diets.
Do it or Dump it?
There hasn’t been much research on this topic but what we do know does not support Dr. D’Adamo’s theories.
In a study conducted in 2004, it was determined that Dr. D’adamo was not right and there was no benefit to eating the diet designed for your blood type.
Dr. D’Adamo’s theory that certain lectins can help determine blood types is not true. Every blood type reacts negatively to most lectins. Raw legumes contain more lectins per gram than any other foods, but the majority of these lectins disappear during cooking.
The theory of Dr. D’Adamo is, in short, incorrect. You should not follow the blood type diet. Instead, you should choose what to eat and avoid based upon your risk factors for diabetes and heart disease. Always consult your doctor before changing your diet that could affect your health.
