What Is the A-Positive Blood Type Diet?

Health Line

3 days ago

Some people believe that eating certain foods, including soy protein and certain kinds of grains, may benefit people with an A-positive blood type.
The concept of blood-type diets was originally put forth by the naturopathic physician Dr. James L. D'Adamo.
His son, Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo, popularized the diet in his book, ' Eat Right 4 Your Type.' He claims that differing blood types evolved at various points in our genetic history and that your blood type should determine what you eat and how you exercise.
Blood type diets are a system of eating that categorizes foods as beneficial, neutral, or harmful. It's based on a person's blood type and other factors.
D'Adamo claims foods harmful to your blood type cause an agglutination reaction. This makes blood cells stick together, increasing the risk of disease.
Read on to learn more about this diet and D'Adamo's claims.
Eating foods based on blood type
The blood type diet requires a regimen called compliance. This refers to eating 'beneficials.' Beneficials are chosen for each blood type, based upon the lectins, or molecules, which the food contains.
On this diet, people are defined as being 'secretors' or 'nonsecretors.' These terms refer to an individual's ability to secrete blood-type antigens into bodily fluids. What you eat is partly based upon your secretor status. This is why the diet is known as an individualized plan.
Food ratios are also provided for each blood type group. These are further broken down into ratios specifically recommended for people of African, Caucasian, and Asian descent. Supplements are recommended for blood-type diets, which are sold on D'Adamo's website.
Theoretic origins of blood types
According to Dr. D'Adamo, the A-positive blood type became prevalent during the early years of the agricultural age. He theorizes this is why people with this blood type can readily digest vegetables and carbohydrates, but have a difficult time digesting animal protein and fat.
The A-positive blood type diet is primarily vegetarian. D'Adamo believes people with this blood type have less-than-robust immune systems and are prone to anxiety. His diet plan promises:
weight loss
less disease
more energy
better digestion
As with any diet, people may try this plan in order to lose weight or for other health benefits. Weight loss and lowered cholesterol have been reported by people who have tried this diet. However, there's no evidence the theory underlying this diet caused these results.
Like many other food plans, this plan stresses the avoidance of:
processed foods
foods high in sugar
simple carbohydrates
These diet measures are known to benefit anyone's health, regardless of blood type.
What diet is best for people with A+ blood type?
D'Adamo recommends people on the A-positive blood type diet eat an organic, vegetarian, or almost-vegetarian food plan. Foods that D'Adamo recommends to eat include
soy protein, such as tofu
certain grains, such as spelt, hulled barley, and sprouted bread
walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and peanuts
olive oil
certain fruits, such as blueberries and elderberries
certain kinds of beans and legumes
certain vegetables, especially dark, leafy greens, such as kale, Swiss chard, and spinach
garlic and onions
cold-water fish, such as sardines and salmon
limited amounts of chicken and turkey
green tea
ginger
The diet recommends eating protein at the start of the day. Canned sardines or a smoothie made with silken tofu and goat milk may be a good option.
Limited amounts of animal protein, such as turkey and eggs, are allowed on this diet plan. They may be eaten for breakfast. Vegetables, fruits, and the allowed grains may be eaten at any meal.
What foods should people with type A+ blood avoid?
The list of foods people with A-positive blood should avoid is extremely extensive. It includes, but isn't limited to:
beef
pork
lamb
cow's milk
potatoes, yams, and sweet potatoes
certain vegetables, such as cabbage, eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, and mushrooms
lima beans
certain fruits, such as melons, oranges, strawberries, and mangos
poultry other than chicken and turkey, such as duck
venison
fish, such as bluefish, barracuda, haddock, herring, and catfish
some grains and grain products, such as wheat bran, multigrain bread, and durum wheat
refined sugar
refined carbohydrates, such as white flour and white bread
oils other than olive oil
artificial ingredients
most condiments
Does the blood type diet work?
Medical conditions which D'Adamo states are associated with this blood type include:
cancer
diabetes
anxiety disorders
cardiovascular disease
However, there's no scientific evidence that the blood-type diet works or that it alleviates any specific health conditions.
For instance, a 2021 study found that among 68 subjects who ate a low-fat, vegan diet, those who had type A blood did not experience any additional health benefits compared to those with other blood types.
Another 2018 study found that no type of blood has any effect on the association between following one of the blood-type diets and the chance of developing heart disease in overweight adults.
One older 2014 study found that adherence to the A-positive blood type diet might yield benefits, such as:
reduced body mass index (BMI)
blood pressure
serum triglycerides
cholesterol
lower waist circumference
However, these benefits weren't seen to be influenced by, or associated with, study participants' blood types.
What are the risks?
While no specific risks have been identified to date given the limited research, this diet is restrictive and may be difficult to follow.
It's important that anyone striving to follow this eating plan makes sure they're getting broad-based nutrition from a wide range of foods, including protein sources.
Frequently asked questions
What is special about A+ blood?
Having A-positive blood simply means that you've inherited it from your parents from various possible combinations:
The positive marker is related to the presence of certain antigens in your blood along with a protein known as the rhesus (Rh) factor.
There's no scientific evidence that having A-positive blood is anything unique. In fact, it's quite common. However, because it occurs in 36% of Americans, it means that it's one of the types most easily to find or donate for a transfusion.
Can blood type A eat sugar?
The A-positive diet recommends avoiding refined sugar and foods that are high in sugar. There's no evidence there's a specific benefit from doing this for people with A-positive blood. That said, this is a common recommendation in other diets and by many nutritionists that is likely to benefit anyone.
Are eggs OK for blood type A?
The A-positive diet also recommends limiting eggs. Eating them in small amounts during breakfast is optimal, according to the diet.
There are some known risks associated with eating eggs. First, they may increase cholesterol, and eating one egg or more daily may be associated with the chance of developing certain cancers according to some research, however, these results were based on studies in a hospital setting..
That said, as with sugar, there is no evidence that eating or avoiding any food is specifically beneficial to a person with a particular blood type.
Eggs are still a nutritious food that can be a good source of protein in any diet. In most cases, eating 1-2 eggs daily isn't likely to be harmful for most young, healthy adults. This has been confirmed by recent research findings. One egg daily may even help support better cognitive abilities in older adults, according to additional research.
The takeaway
Blood-type diets may yield weight loss and other positive results because they're highly restrictive. They also eliminate foods that are known to adversely affect health.
However, there's no scientific evidence linking a person's blood type to their need to avoid, or eat, specific foods.
If you do decide to follow this plan, make sure to eat as wide a range of foods as possible so you get enough nutrition. You can also talk to your doctor about your individual risk of developing a disease. They can help you make lifestyle changes to ensure you're living your healthiest life.