Turns out, your blood type has a say about your health. Researchers are beginning to understand your blood type could also be held responsible for developing certain diseases, besides lifestyle, diet, and genetics.
Before jumping in, here are a few basics. There are four main blood types – A, B, AB, and O. Type O is the most common blood group, while type AB is the least found blood group in the world.
Here’s What Your Blood Type Could Tell About Your Health
1. Heart Attack
Heart disease can develop because of several factors. One of them is an uncontrollable reason – your genetics. Most of us are aware that if your immediate family has had a heart attack or other heart diseases, you might have a risk of developing the same. But, turns out, your blood type could also be held responsible. One study involving more than 1.3 million people found out those with a non-O blood group had a 9 percent higher risk of getting a heart attack and developing cardiovascular diseases. People with A and AB groups were found to have the highest risk of any heart issues. 1
2. Stomach Cancer
Good news for people with blood type B and O. One study revealed people with type AB had a 26% higher risk than B and O for developing stomach cancer. Even blood type A was found to have a 20% higher risk. It claims people with AB and A have a heightened immune response to a certain bacteria known as H. pylori. This particular immunity reaction raises the risk of developing cancer.
3. Ulcer
While H. pylori’s immunity reaction could be the culprit behind stomach cancer for blood types AB and A, the same could also be responsible for developing ulcers in people with blood type O. When your body is being attacked, your immune system sends out antibodies to deal with the invasion. People with blood type O send out antibodies that attack H. pylori with a lot more ferocity, this causes more inflammation, swelling, and stomach ulcers. 2
4. Pancreatic Cancer
One study revealed people with blood types A, B, and AB had a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. People with blood type O were found to have the lowest risk of pancreatic cancer. When compared to type O, type A has a 32% increased risk, type AB has a 51% raised risk, and type B has a 72% of increased risk of getting pancreatic cancer. 3
5. Cognitive Decline
Turns out, people with AB blood type have a higher risk of cognitive decline. One study followed cognitive skills of more than 30,000 people above 45 years of age over years. Researchers found out people with the rare AB blood type have an 82% higher risk of developing memory loss as they get older.
Don’t be alarmed just yet. While your blood type could have a risk of developing certain diseases, your lifestyle and diet play a much bigger role in preventing any of these diseases. So, eat clean and lead an active life!
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