INVESTIGATION OF THE ABO BLOOD SYSTEM AS A POTENTIAL MARKER OF FOOD CONSUMPTION HABITS OR DISEASES, BASED ON THE “BLOOD GROUP DIET

Abstract

The "blood group diet" (DGS) is a practice that seeks to prevent certain diseases  and improve physical and emotional health by following eating habits outlined for your  blood type according to the ABO system. The objective of this research is to preliminarily  investigate the correlation between ABO blood type and eating habits or occurrence of  diseases. Therefore, a bibliographic study about the DGS was carried out, having as  reference the work of the physician Peter J. D'Adamo among others. Based on this study,  24 foods consumed in the state of Piauí and 13 diseases popularly known and cited in  studies on DGS were listed. A total of 86 samples were collected from people aged 17 to  52 years, 54% females and 41% males. The genotypic profile of the study population was:  33.7% belonging to group A; 11.6% group B; 53.5% group O and 1.2% group AB. Most  of the 24 foods selected showed no significant correlation with blood type; however, 2  foods, carrots and butter, presented significantly low consumption data among people of  blood type B, but butter is a milk derivative, a group of foods that according to the proposal  of the DGS lacks a higher consumption among people of blood type B. Compensatoryly,  two of the four most reported diseases in this group are among the 5 diseases of highest  risk associated with blood type B, second survey done about the DGS. This is a  preliminary study with local database, the association found between low consumption of  certain foods and blood type B does not indicate risk of specific disease, as it may be  compensated by other substitute foods; however, it points to the need for in-depth research  on the subject, using genetic and molecular tools aiming at population biomarkers that  help in the promotion of individualized health.