Monday, January 25, 2021
Ghana Today
  • Home
  • News
    A Great Asset For Ghana Football: Ghanatoday.net

    A Great Asset For Ghana Football: Ghanatoday.net

    Breaking News: Sellas Tetteh resigns as head coach of Sierra Leone – Ghana Latest Football News, Live Scores, Results: Ghanatoday.net

    Two cases of coronavirus confirmed in Ghana: Ghanatoday.net

    Two cases of coronavirus confirmed in Ghana: Ghanatoday.net

    Govt tightens border checks as coronavirus spreads: Ghanatoday.net

    COVID-19: Ghana confirms two cases: Ghanatoday.net

  • Politics
    Get more women into governance, Mr President !

    Get more women into governance, Mr President !

    I dare anyone who’s ever bribed me to come forward now -Rockson Bukari throws challenge

    I dare anyone who’s ever bribed me to come forward now -Rockson Bukari throws challenge

    Veteran reporter Rob Shaw joins Daily Hive as political columnist

    Veteran reporter Rob Shaw joins Daily Hive as political columnist

    Dear Chairman Rawlings

    Dear Chairman Rawlings

  • Entertainment
    Pulse Picks: Top 10 entertainment stories that defined 2020 [ARTICLE]

    Pulse Picks: Top 10 entertainment stories that defined 2020 [ARTICLE]

    From Manny Pacquiao to Shirley Temple: Seven celebrities who swapped the entertainment industry for politics

    From Manny Pacquiao to Shirley Temple: Seven celebrities who swapped the entertainment industry for politics

    At CES 2020 Panasonic Demonstrates the Future

    At CES 2020 Panasonic Demonstrates the Future

    Christabel Ekeh pictures, biography, boyfriend ▷ YEN.COM.GH

    Christabel Ekeh pictures, biography, boyfriend ▷ YEN.COM.GH

  • Lifestyle
    Anthropometric indices, blood pressure, and lipid profile status among women using progestin-only contraceptives: comparative cross-sectional study | BMC Women’s Health

    Anthropometric indices, blood pressure, and lipid profile status among women using progestin-only contraceptives: comparative cross-sectional study | BMC Women’s Health

    Ghana is listed! – Graphic Online

    Ghana is listed! – Graphic Online

    4 Skin-Care Trends That Are Going To Be Everywhere In 2021

    4 Skin-Care Trends That Are Going To Be Everywhere In 2021

    5 Epic Eye Art Trends That You *Need* to Try Out ASAP

    5 Epic Eye Art Trends That You *Need* to Try Out ASAP

  • Africa

    More than 10 countries in Africa report COVID-19 cases

    The Dance: the South Africans who finish high school against all odds | Global development

    Facebook, Twitter suspend Russia-linked operation targeting African Americans on social media – News – MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, MA

    Facebook, Twitter suspend Russia-linked operation targeting African Americans on social media – News – MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, MA

    The fight for west Africa’s fish

    The fight for west Africa’s fish

  • Business
    Cameroon confirms first case of coronavirus-Ghanatoday.net

    Ghana records nearly 2,000 new COVID-19 infections in three days-Ghanatoday.net

    ‘Fearsome’ journalist Raymond Archer breaks long silence since McDan demolition-Ghanatoday.net

    ‘Fearsome’ journalist Raymond Archer breaks long silence since McDan demolition-Ghanatoday.net

    PWDs small business owners to receive support through accelerator program-Ghanatoday.net

    PWDs small business owners to receive support through accelerator program-Ghanatoday.net

    Government Must Reject The Attempt by IPPs To Manage ECG-Ghanatoday.net

    Government Must Reject The Attempt by IPPs To Manage ECG-Ghanatoday.net

  • Viral News
  • Videos
    Promasidor Ghana Limited builds borehole for Domeabra community – AM News on JoyNews (24-8-20)-ghanatoday.net

    Promasidor Ghana Limited builds borehole for Domeabra community – AM News on JoyNews (24-8-20)-ghanatoday.net

    Hip Hop Pioneer Doug E. Fresh Gives Real Talk in Ghana-ghanatoday.net

    Hip Hop Pioneer Doug E. Fresh Gives Real Talk in Ghana-ghanatoday.net

    ONGAlicous Ghana cooks Is Back!!!-ghanatoday.net

    ONGAlicous Ghana cooks Is Back!!!-ghanatoday.net

    Ghana mine workers' union demands full disclosure of Agyapa royalties deal | Business Dashboard-ghanatoday.net

    Ghana mine workers' union demands full disclosure of Agyapa royalties deal | Business Dashboard-ghanatoday.net

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    A Great Asset For Ghana Football: Ghanatoday.net

    A Great Asset For Ghana Football: Ghanatoday.net

    Breaking News: Sellas Tetteh resigns as head coach of Sierra Leone – Ghana Latest Football News, Live Scores, Results: Ghanatoday.net

    Two cases of coronavirus confirmed in Ghana: Ghanatoday.net

    Two cases of coronavirus confirmed in Ghana: Ghanatoday.net

    Govt tightens border checks as coronavirus spreads: Ghanatoday.net

    COVID-19: Ghana confirms two cases: Ghanatoday.net

  • Politics
    Get more women into governance, Mr President !

    Get more women into governance, Mr President !

    I dare anyone who’s ever bribed me to come forward now -Rockson Bukari throws challenge

    I dare anyone who’s ever bribed me to come forward now -Rockson Bukari throws challenge

    Veteran reporter Rob Shaw joins Daily Hive as political columnist

    Veteran reporter Rob Shaw joins Daily Hive as political columnist

    Dear Chairman Rawlings

    Dear Chairman Rawlings

  • Entertainment
    Pulse Picks: Top 10 entertainment stories that defined 2020 [ARTICLE]

    Pulse Picks: Top 10 entertainment stories that defined 2020 [ARTICLE]

    From Manny Pacquiao to Shirley Temple: Seven celebrities who swapped the entertainment industry for politics

    From Manny Pacquiao to Shirley Temple: Seven celebrities who swapped the entertainment industry for politics

    At CES 2020 Panasonic Demonstrates the Future

    At CES 2020 Panasonic Demonstrates the Future

    Christabel Ekeh pictures, biography, boyfriend ▷ YEN.COM.GH

    Christabel Ekeh pictures, biography, boyfriend ▷ YEN.COM.GH

  • Lifestyle
    Anthropometric indices, blood pressure, and lipid profile status among women using progestin-only contraceptives: comparative cross-sectional study | BMC Women’s Health

    Anthropometric indices, blood pressure, and lipid profile status among women using progestin-only contraceptives: comparative cross-sectional study | BMC Women’s Health

    Ghana is listed! – Graphic Online

    Ghana is listed! – Graphic Online

    4 Skin-Care Trends That Are Going To Be Everywhere In 2021

    4 Skin-Care Trends That Are Going To Be Everywhere In 2021

    5 Epic Eye Art Trends That You *Need* to Try Out ASAP

    5 Epic Eye Art Trends That You *Need* to Try Out ASAP

  • Africa

    More than 10 countries in Africa report COVID-19 cases

    The Dance: the South Africans who finish high school against all odds | Global development

    Facebook, Twitter suspend Russia-linked operation targeting African Americans on social media – News – MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, MA

    Facebook, Twitter suspend Russia-linked operation targeting African Americans on social media – News – MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, MA

    The fight for west Africa’s fish

    The fight for west Africa’s fish

  • Business
    Cameroon confirms first case of coronavirus-Ghanatoday.net

    Ghana records nearly 2,000 new COVID-19 infections in three days-Ghanatoday.net

    ‘Fearsome’ journalist Raymond Archer breaks long silence since McDan demolition-Ghanatoday.net

    ‘Fearsome’ journalist Raymond Archer breaks long silence since McDan demolition-Ghanatoday.net

    PWDs small business owners to receive support through accelerator program-Ghanatoday.net

    PWDs small business owners to receive support through accelerator program-Ghanatoday.net

    Government Must Reject The Attempt by IPPs To Manage ECG-Ghanatoday.net

    Government Must Reject The Attempt by IPPs To Manage ECG-Ghanatoday.net

  • Viral News
  • Videos
    Promasidor Ghana Limited builds borehole for Domeabra community – AM News on JoyNews (24-8-20)-ghanatoday.net

    Promasidor Ghana Limited builds borehole for Domeabra community – AM News on JoyNews (24-8-20)-ghanatoday.net

    Hip Hop Pioneer Doug E. Fresh Gives Real Talk in Ghana-ghanatoday.net

    Hip Hop Pioneer Doug E. Fresh Gives Real Talk in Ghana-ghanatoday.net

    ONGAlicous Ghana cooks Is Back!!!-ghanatoday.net

    ONGAlicous Ghana cooks Is Back!!!-ghanatoday.net

    Ghana mine workers' union demands full disclosure of Agyapa royalties deal | Business Dashboard-ghanatoday.net

    Ghana mine workers' union demands full disclosure of Agyapa royalties deal | Business Dashboard-ghanatoday.net

No Result
View All Result
Ghana Today
No Result
View All Result
Home Lifestyle
The blood group diet: fact or fiction?

The blood group diet: fact or fiction?

June 4, 2020
in Lifestyle


A diet that you truly enjoy and makes you feel good, while allowing you to maintain a healthy body, seems like the best of both worlds.

And as each individual is unique, in terms of food preferences, habits and tolerances, it makes sense that personalized diets are now recommended by most health experts – of which dieticians do exactly that!

However, these motives could explain why many people have chosen to base their dietary choices on their blood type, in the hope of reaping its perceived benefits, including living a long, healthy life. But what does it mean to eat for your blood type?

Most importantly, is there evidence that this approach works and is beneficial? Let’s find out.

What is the blood group diet?
The blood group diet is an eating plan which calls for consuming certain foods and avoiding others, based on the claim that your diet should be in line with your blood type. This is because the body responds differently to various foods depending on your blood type.

This diet has been popular since 1996 when it was created by an American naturopathic doctor named Dr Peter D’Adamo. His book, “Eat right 4 your type”, is still an incredibly successful book, selling millions worldwide.

Dr D’Adamo believes that your blood type is a significant key to understanding your unique individuality and helps to tell the story of human evolution.

According to him, blood types evolved with the evolution of man, and each blood type represents the genetic traits of your ancestors.
It also indicates which diet your ancestors of the same blood type ate to survive – thus showing which foods are best for your body and which foods aren’t.

Another central theory of the blood group diet has to do with a group of proteins found in many foods known as lectins. These proteins bind to carbohydrate molecules found on red blood cells.

Dr D’ Adamo argues that some lectins specifically target the different blood types. Eating the wrong types of lectins, which is incompatible with your blood type, could cause your red blood cells to clump together (or agglutinate) when such lectins bind with the carbohydrate molecules on the cells.

This consequently can cause havoc in various parts of the body. Hence, avoiding this agglutination by eating “rightly” might enable people to prevent health problems like cancer, heart and kidney diseases, and even manage their weight better.

Overall, proponents of this diet suggest that following the blood group diet has many benefits including:
•  Weight loss

•  Enabling the body to digest food better

•  Prevention of diseases

•  Slowing down the ageing process

•  Having more energy

•  Feeling better and boosting overall well-being

How does the diet work?
You first have to know your blood type based on the ABO blood system: either A, B, AB or O. Next, plan your meals around foods you’re encouraged to eat for your blood type, while avoiding those that are believed to be problematic.

Here’s a brief outline of the blood type diet:

Type A
The type A diet is steered towards a predominantly fresh, organic vegetarian (plant-based) diet.

Foods allowed: most vegetables and fruits, soybeans, whole grains (rice, wheat, millet, corn etc.), nuts and seeds.
Poultry (specifically chicken and turkey), most fish, snails and eggs are to be taken in limited amounts.

Foods to avoid: red meat (beef, pork, etc.), shellfish (shrimps, oysters, crabs etc.), dairy (milk, cheese, yoghurt etc.), yam, potatoes, plantain, cashews, kidney beans, mushrooms, cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, banana, pawpaw, orange, mango, sugary foods, caffeine and alcohol.

Exercise: 30-45 minutes of light-to-moderate, calming exercises like yoga at least three times weekly.

Type B
This type is said to benefit from “everything in moderation”, and are advised to eat a balanced, omnivorous diet, allowing for a more varied food intake from both plants and animals.

Foods allowed: red meat, organ meats, low-fat dairy, eggs, most vegetables (especially greens), beans and other legumes, fruits, fish, rice, millet, yam, potatoes, cocoyam and plantain.

Foods to avoid: chicken, shellfish, corn, wheat, sorghum, lentils, avocado, tomatoes, nuts and seeds.
Exercise: moderate-intensity exercises like walking and tennis.  

Type AB
People with this blood type are encouraged to eat a well-rounded, omnivorous diet from a relatively wider variety of foods, making this diet the least restrictive.  

Foods allowed: fish, turkey, eggs, snails, rice, oats, wheat, millet, certain beans (e.g. soybeans), nuts, tubers (yam etc.), plantain, low-fat dairy, most fruits and vegetables (especially greens).

Food to avoid: red meat, chicken, smoked and cured meats (e.g. sausage, bacon etc.), shellfish, other beans, corn, mango, avocado, banana, orange, peppers, caffeine and alcohol.

Exercise: A combination of both calming and moderate-intensity exercises, e.g. 45-60 minutes of walking at least twice weekly balanced with daily stretching exercises.

Type O
Type Os are to consume filling high-protein, with a somewhat low-carb, high-fibre diets.

Foods allowed: lean, organic meats and poultry, seafood, eggs, snails, peas, seeds, rice, millet, most tubers, fruits and vegetables.
Food to avoid: wheat and wheat-based products (e.g. bread, pasta etc.), corn, dairy, plantain, Irish potatoes, beans, groundnuts, cashew, avocado, orange, caffeine and alcohol.

Exercise: 30-45 minutes of high-intensity, aerobic exercises like jogging and cycling at least four times weekly.
In addition to eating specific foods for your blood type, the creator of this diet recommends his different but specific supplements to make sure you meet all your nutrient needs and achieve your weight goals.

Also, calorie-counting is considered unnecessary, with claims that as long as you’re eating the right foods, weight loss should come naturally.

There isn’t any specific timing for meals or fasting periods required for this diet plan. However, it advises against drinking water or other beverages with meals as it will dilute the natural digestive enzymes, thereby making it more difficult to digest foods.

The pros and cons
Starting with the positives, the diet advocates that everyone, irrespective of blood type, should eat mostly fresh, whole and natural foods, whilst cutting out processed foods and alcohol.

And we know that a variety of natural foods contain the nutrients and fibre our bodies need to stay fit. This practice may help reduce the risk of many chronic health issues like high blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels whilst promoting weight loss.

The diet also encourages people to focus holistically on their overall well-being, by including regular exercises and stress reduction together with eating healthily.

Overall, the diet plan emphasises the importance of a personalised nutrition plan, meaning that meeting the nutritional needs of individuals should vary from person to person, rather than a “one-size-fits-all” approach.

And if nothing else, it creates self-awareness about eating habits and makes you think twice about your food choices.     
Now to the negative side of things. Firstly, there’s generally a lack of scientific evidence regarding if and how the diet works, and thus, supporting or recommending it.

Although some claims have been made, it hasn’t been proven that your blood type determines how your body reacts to certain foods and that its adherence could improve health.

For people who see results, it could have been circumstantial or based on a factor other than blood type.
Limiting the intake of processed foods, as advised by this diet, for example, would definitely produce good health outcomes, irrespective of your blood type.

Cutting out food groups is an easy way to reduce calories and can lead to some weight loss, as with the blood group diet. But in eliminating some foods that are considered crucial for good health, you’d also be taking out vitamins, minerals and other needful nutrients.

Eventually in the long-term, you could experience nutritional deficiencies when following this diet plan.
Imagine if your favourite food is fufu, and you’re told to stop eating it because of your blood type – what a struggle that would be! These potentially make the diet hard to follow, expensive and can cause a person to feel socially isolated.

The diet also fails to consider health challenges an individual may have (e.g. diabetes, hypertension, allergies etc.), hence could disrupt medical treatment plans when followed.

Regarding lectins, there’s actually evidence that a small percentage of lectins in raw, uncooked legumes (e.g. beans) can cause agglutination on red blood cells. However, lectins in food aren’t blood-type specific.

Overall, this fact may be irrelevant because most legumes are soaked and/or cooked before consumption, which destroys the lectins.
Bottom line: the foods recommended for a particular blood type aren’t necessarily the best, health-wise. Instead, improve your health by following scientifically-proven, nutritious eating guidelines, non-specific to your blood type.

Whatever your health goal is, it has to be reasonable and sustainable – the blood group diet may not be so. Further research is needed to support the health claims associated with this diet.

In conclusion, could eating a diet based on your blood type – A, B, AB, and O – help you get healthier? That’s the idea behind the blood group diet, created by the naturopath Dr. Peter D’Adamo.

Is the diet indeed a fact or just one of those fictitious, fad diets? In short, it’s somewhat complicated.

I don’t doubt that people have experienced positive results by following the diet. Nonetheless, it doesn’t mean that this was related to their blood type.

The diet encourages real, healthy foods, which is a huge step up from processed, junk foods. Maybe the reason for the health benefits is simply because these people are eating healthier food than before.  

There’s little to no science to back up the diet. Nutrition experts don’t also support or recommend it for achieving nutrition or health goals. You mustn’t rely on popular yet unproven diets to guide your eating habits and food choices.

There are cheaper, safer and more evidence-based ways to change your diet to improve health. That being said, if you’re considering going on any diet, talk with your dietician first to determine the best course of action for you that’s based on scientific evidence, as well as your personal preferences and health goals.
Stay safe!

The writer is a registered dietician and a member of the Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.





Source link

Tags: bloodbreaking news in ghana todaydaily graphic ghana newsDietentertainment news in ghanaFactfictionghana news sitesGhanatoday.netghanaweb news now todayGroupmyjoyonline com ghana newsmyjoyonline news latesttv3 ghana news today
Previous Post

After the Virus: Politics | RNZ

Next Post

People paid huge cash to distort and lie -Rawlings booms

Next Post
People paid huge cash to distort and lie -Rawlings booms

People paid huge cash to distort and lie -Rawlings booms

Consensus needed to inject confidence in electoral process – Ghana Federation of Labour

Consensus needed to inject confidence in electoral process - Ghana Federation of Labour

FBI, NYPD Questions Violate Rules Against Political Spying

FBI, NYPD Questions Violate Rules Against Political Spying

Advertisement

Recent News

Get more women into governance, Mr President !

Get more women into governance, Mr President !

January 25, 2021
0
I dare anyone who’s ever bribed me to come forward now -Rockson Bukari throws challenge

I dare anyone who’s ever bribed me to come forward now -Rockson Bukari throws challenge

January 25, 2021
1
Veteran reporter Rob Shaw joins Daily Hive as political columnist

Veteran reporter Rob Shaw joins Daily Hive as political columnist

January 25, 2021
0
Dear Chairman Rawlings

Dear Chairman Rawlings

January 25, 2021
1
I resigned as Minister to reduce pressure on Akufo-Addo -Rockson Bukari

I resigned as Minister to reduce pressure on Akufo-Addo -Rockson Bukari

January 25, 2021
1
Sport unites us when politics divides

Sport unites us when politics divides

January 25, 2021
1
Cameroon confirms first case of coronavirus-Ghanatoday.net

Ghana records nearly 2,000 new COVID-19 infections in three days-Ghanatoday.net

January 25, 2021
0
ADVERTISEMENT

About Us

Welcome to Ghanatoday.net. Your premium website which brings you all the news from different Ghanaian news platforms. We appreciate all the sites which have contributed immensely to make this website a possibility.

Browse by Category

  • Africa
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Politics
  • Videos
  • Viral News

Recent News

Get more women into governance, Mr President !

Get more women into governance, Mr President !

January 25, 2021
I dare anyone who’s ever bribed me to come forward now -Rockson Bukari throws challenge

I dare anyone who’s ever bribed me to come forward now -Rockson Bukari throws challenge

January 25, 2021

Copyright © 2019 Ghanatoday.net. All rights reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Africa
  • Business
  • Viral News
  • Videos

Copyright © 2019 Ghanatoday.net. All rights reserved

Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.