The diet is based on the theory that nutritional needs vary by blood type
Researchers found there is no link between response to the diets and blood type – the results were dependent upon a person’s ability to stick to the diet
The theory behind the Blood Type Diet is not valid, new research suggests.
Canadian researchers found the science behind the popular diet does not add up.
The Blood Type Diet is based on the theory that people’s nutritional needs vary by blood type.
The theory behind the Blood Type Diet, which is said to be followed by Cheryl Cole, is not valid
‘Based on the data of 1,455 study participants, we found no evidence to support the Blood Type Diet theory,’ said the senior author of the study, Dr Ahmed El-Sohemy, Associate Professor at the University of Toronto.
‘The way an individual responds to any one of these diets has absolutely nothing to do with their blood type and has everything to do with their ability to stick to a sensible vegetarian or low-carbohydrate diet,’ he added.
The researchers found the associations they observed between each of the four blood type (A, B, AB, O) diets and the markers of health are independent of the person’s blood type.
The diet became popular after the publication of the book Eat Right for Your Type, written by naturopath Peter D’Adamo.
The theory behind the diet is that people with different blood types process food differently.
According to the theory, individuals adhering to a diet specific to one’s blood type can improve health and decrease risk of chronic illness such as cardiovascular disease.
The diet, which Cliff Richard is also said to follow, is based on the theory that people process foods differently based on their blood types
The book was a New York Times best-seller that has been translated into 52 languages and sold over seven million copies.
The researchers took an existing population of mostly young and healthy adults who provided detailed information about their usual diets and provided fasting blood that was used to isolate DNA to determine their blood type and the level of cardiometabolic risk factors, such as insulin, cholesterol and triglycerides.
Diet scores were calculated based on the food items listed in Eat Right for Your Type to determine relative adherence to each of the four blood type diets.
Dr El-Sohemy says that a previous lack of scientific evidence doesn’t mean the diets didn’t work.
He said: ‘There was just no evidence, one way or the other. It was an intriguing hypothesis so we felt we should put it to the test. We can now be confident in saying that the Blood Type Diet hypothesis is false.’
Last year, a comprehensive review published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found no evidence to support the Blood Type Diet and called for properly designed scientific studies to address it.
THE BLOOD TYPE DIET:
In Eat Right For Your Type Dr D’Admao matches the blood type to dietary recommendations, summarised here.
The O diet: Eat meat (high protein, low carbohydrate). Cut out wheat and most other grains. Engage in vigorous aerobic exercise. Your risk factors for ulcers and inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis increase if you eat incorrectly for your type.
The A diet: You should be largely vegetarian (eating a high carbohydrate, low fat diet). Engage in gentle exercise such as yoga or golf and meditate to deal with stress. Your risk factors for cancer and heart disease increase if you eat incorrectly, according to Dr D’Admao.
The B diet: You should have the most varied diet of all the blood types, one including meat; yours is the only blood type that does well with dairy products. Engage in exercise such as moderate swimming or walking. Your risk for slow-growing viruses that attack the nervous system increases if you eat incorrectly for your type.
The AB diet: You have most of the benefits and intolerances of types A and B, so most foods which are recommended for either type A or B will also work for you. Engage in calming exercises and relaxation techniques. You have the friendliest immune system.
In the UK 46 per cent of people have O type blood, 42 per cent A, nine per cent B and three per cent A/B.
Source: Daily Mail
