The way your body reacts to different foods depends in part on your genetic makeup. The Blood Type Diet, also known as the biotype diet, is based on the idea that the foods you eat should be chosen based on your blood type. There is no conclusive scientific evidence to back up the concepts behind this diet, however.
What Is Your Blood Type
Your red blood cells have special proteins, known as agglutinogens, on their surfaces. There are two different kinds of agglutinogens, "A" and "B," the University of Utah explains. Your blood type is based on what kinds of agglutinogens you have on your blood cells. If you have only A or B type agglutinogens, you have type A or type B blood, respectively. If you have both, your blood type is AB. Some people have neither type of agglutinogens, which gives them type O blood.
How Food Affects Blood Type
According to Dr. Michael Lam, the foods you eat affect you differently based on your blood type due to the interaction of your agglutinogens and proteins known as lectins. Lectins are proteins found in foods. If you eat foods which are incompatible with your blood type, the lectins cause your red blood cells to stick together, which can cause a variety of health problems, such as asthma, allergies and slow metabolism.
Diet Plans
According to the blood type diet, people with type O blood should eat a diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates, dairy products, avocados, oranges and Brazil nuts, EveryDiet.org states. If you have type A blood, avoid red meat and dairy and consume a diet high in fish and vegetables. People with type B blood should avoid chicken and bacon and emphasize red meat and dairy while also eating a moderate amount of fish, fruit and vegetables. The diet for type AB blood is a mixture of the diets for types A and B.
Controversy
According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no evidence that your blood type has any effect on how your body reacts to different foods. This means that the blood type diet is no more effective than any other diet plan. You should talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian before beginning any sort of new diet.
