Ever wondered why some people tend to lose weight more easily, while others keep hitting a dead end however much they try to do so? Have you asked yourself why others are prone to chronic illness as others are always seemingly healthy? This is partly the reason why you should make an effort to know your blood group as it is one of the key factors that influence your health.

According to medics, blood groups are antigens in the body and are different for different people. They are genetically acquired, and individuals of different blood groups tend to be prone to different diseases. For instance, those with blood group AB or B, are more prone to heart diseases, while those with blood group A are prone to stomach cancer and H-pylori infection that causes peptic ulcers.

Therefore, since food reacts chemically inside the body, if one eats right for their blood group, the body would be healthier, more energetic and there would be reduced susceptibility to diseases.

Dieudonne’ Bukaba, the Nutrition Programme coordinator at Africa Humanitarian Action (AHA) Rwanda, says following a diet that suits your blood type is essential, because this helps the body to digest food well, keep in good shape (weight), as well as prevent one from some diseases.

With four unique blood types, one should strive to have a diet plan that is meant for their type.

"For instance, If one consumes foods containing lectins (a class of proteins of plant origin which cause agglutination of particular cell types) and they are incompatible with one’s blood type, one may experience inflammation, bloating, metabolism problems or even diseases such as cancer,” he says.

To avoid all this, Bukaba says, the best thing is to eat foods meant for your blood type.

Blood group A

If one has type blood group A, and they are diabetic, overweight or underweight, Bukaba says that the reason behind this could be eating foods that aren’t compatible with their blood type.

According to Francis Kazungu, a general practitioner in Kigali, for one to start eliminating some foods based on their blood type diet, they should seek guidance from the right experts.

"For those with type A blood, consuming a diet of poultry, meat and seafood is essential. Fish and chicken can be eaten at least two times per week,” he says.

Kazungu cautions that with this blood group, one should stay away from all dairy products, meat and eggs. Rice and soy milk will work wonders for those with type A group.

Yogurt and cheese are also good for keeping such individuals in a good health.

He explains that due to their low stomach-acid content, it makes it hard for them to digest foods like meat.

"Slow digestion would lead to slow and incomplete digestion, which leads to piling up of toxins leading to microscopic organisms growing in the gut. This affects the body detoxification process. To prevent all this, one should reduce or eliminate meat from their diets,” he cautions.

Additionally, Kazungu says, fresh fruits and vegetables are ideal. He says that this is because blood group A is a sensitive type of blood that works best with foods which are in their fresh, organic and natural form.

Also, when with group A, one is at risk of contracting diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart diseases if they are not on the right diet as prescribed by their nutritionists.

Citing examples such as spinach, kales, organic fruits and broccoli, among others, as the ideal foods to be eaten, Kazungu also discourages one from eating potatoes, bananas, cabbage, tomatoes and eggplant when they have blood group A.

Blood type B

With this type B blood group, there are some foods one should consume or avoid in order to maintain good health.

Joseph Uwiragiye, the head of the Nutrition Department at University Teaching Hospital, Kigali, (CHUK), says whether B-positive or B-negative, the food one should eat or avoid is the same. Rabbit meat and fish are ideal, but on the other hand, avoiding chicken and pork, as well as less meat is also important in keeping one healthy, he says.

"Apart from that, fruits and vegetables should be included in your daily diet because they are essential in supplying important vitamins and minerals to the entire body. Skipping tomatoes, avocados, corn and pumpkins is ideal,” he says.

According to Uwiragiye, rice is among the types of grains people with blood type B should consume. However, he says, wheat-based foods like bread should be avoided, as well as some varieties of beans. Spices such as pepper as well as distilled liquor should be avoided.

Rachna Pande, an internal medicine specialist, says when one has type B blood, they should avoid corn, wheat, buckwheat, lentils, tomatoes, chicken, peanuts and sesame seeds. However, she encourages them to dwell on green vegetables, eggs, certain meats and low-fat dairy.

Blood type O

"The success of the O group diet is based on the use of lean and chemical-free meat, poultry and fish,” says Pande.

She says Individuals in the O group bear less well on dairy products and cereals because their digestive system is not completely adapted to these foods.

Pande points out that adopting the group O diet will make one immediately lose weight because the diet restricts the intake of cereals, bread and legumes.

Further, she explains that gluten in wheat germ and in whole wheat foods is the most beneficial for weight gain in people in this blood group.

"There are people in whom all other slimming diets have proven ineffective. They should lose weight effortlessly simply by eliminating wheat from their menus,” says Pande.

"Lean beef, lamb, turkey, chicken or fish are recommended as often as you like. The more stressful the work you are doing and the more you intensify your physical activity, the more protein you need to absorb. But beware of the size of the servings you consume. Strive not to exceed 180 grams (6 oz.) Of meat per meal,” says Bukaba.

He again notes that people with group O effectively digest and metabolise meat because they generally have high gastric acidity. On the contrary, limiting their dairy products as much as possible is ideal.

"This is because their metabolism is poorly adapted to these products, which often results in phenomena of allergy or intolerance of the digestive tract,” he says.

Ivan Ntwari, a general medical practitioner in Kigali says people in group O do not tolerate whole wheat, and must completely eliminate it from their diet.

"Whole wheat contains lectins that act on both your blood and your digestive system, and prevent proper assimilation of nutrients useful to your health. It is also the main factor of weight gain for people with this blood group,” he says.

Oranges, clementines and strawberries should be avoided, according to Ntwari, because they are too acidic to people with type O group. Rather, grapefruits should be consumed.

He adds that people in this blood group often suffer from hypersensitivity to coconut and products containing coconut, noting that consuming pineapples is particularly effective in preventing water retention and bloating, two factors that contribute to weight gain. Black cherry juice is also a very beneficial as well as alkaline drink.

Group AB

Although this type of blood is rare, Bukaba says people with this group have unique characteristics from those with other types. They are susceptible to different diseases, which makes it essential for them to eat the right foods and exercise as well.

Seafoods, dairy and vegetables are among the foods that should be consumed by people with blood group AB. He also says people with type AB blood tend to have low stomach acid.

"Such individuals should learn how to stay away from caffeine, alcohol, as well as smoked meat,” Bukaba says.

Blood type and weight loss

According to Iba Mayale, a gynecologist at Doctors Plaza in Kimironko, Kigali, eating right for your blood type helps in achieving the ideal body weight, which contributes to good health.

Citing an example of blood group O, Maye says individuals with this type tend to gain weight when they consume legumes, especially red beans which contain lectins that settle in muscle tissue, making them more alkaline and less vigorous in case of physical exertion.

He notes that the other element regulating the weight of the subjects of group O is related to the action of the thyroid gland. The group O predisposes one to hypothyroidism insufficient secretion of thyroid hormones because the people of this group suffer more often than the others of deficit in iodine. This trace element (iodine) is indispensable for the production of thyroid hormones.

"In order to maintain good weight, one must ensure that they not only moderate the size of the portions they consume, but also focus on particularly beneficial foods while avoiding those which could thwart their efforts,” he says.