No Proof: Viral Claim Suggesting Blood Type O Individuals Should Shun Potatoes to Ward Off Arthritis Is False

IN SHORT: A popular TikTok clip from a Kenyan wellness company asserts that potatoes lead to arthritis in individuals with blood type O. However, specialists state that there is no scientific backing for this claim.

A TikTok video A nutrition-related post from a health and wellness center based in Nairobi has become widely circulated due to its daring claims about diet. Nairobi serves as the capital city of Kenya.

In the video, a female presenter dressed in a white lab coat featuring the company’s emblem explains to the audience:

Were you aware that individuals with blood type O shouldn’t consume potatoes because they can increase the likelihood of developing arthritis? It’s essential to tailor your diet based on your blood group. Each blood type—A, B, O, and AB—has distinct recommended foods. Come see us, discover your blood type, and obtain a customized meal plan designed specifically for you.

She displays an image of a food pyramid alongside a round food chart.

The video has garnered more than 1.1 million views, over 32,000 likes, and upwards of 4,000 comments.

Diets based on blood types and health fads

The video seems to rely on the widely known but unsubstantiated concept of the blood type diet It made its debut in the late 1990s by naturopathic doctor Peter D'Adamo through his book Eat Well According To Your Type The diet recommends consuming particular foods and avoiding certain ones depending on individual needs. blood type A, B, AB, or O.

Based on this model, individuals with blood group O are classified as "hunter-gatherers" and are recommended to steer clear of specific items like wheat, dairy products, and nightshade vegetables - a collection comprising potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants.

The TikTok video revisits certain dietary concepts, specifically mentioning that potatoes may be detrimental to individuals with blood type O and could lead to arthritis. However, is this claim accurate? We investigated.

What research reveals regarding blood types, potatoes, and arthritis

There is no scientific evidence To back up the assertion that individuals with blood type O, as well as those with different blood types, may have an increased likelihood of developing arthritis due to potato consumption.

The blood type diet doesn’t particularly connect potatoes to arthritis. However, it recommends that individuals with blood type O should steer clear of certain plants. Solanaceae ( nightshade ) family, including potatoes. According to the diet, these plants may lead to inflammation and digestion issues for individuals with blood type O. The TikTok clip probably connects this information to arthritis , a condition linked to inflammation. Nightshades are likewise a common target of several TikTok myths.

While some people with conditions involving inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis The report indicates an increase in symptoms following consumption of certain nightshade vegetables; however, this issue is unrelated to one’s blood type. It should be noted that individual reactions can differ significantly. There are currently no clinical recommendations advising against potato intake based on blood group, and potatoes provide valuable nutrients. nutrients .

As for the broader blood type diet , a A 2013 review published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found no proof backing up the diet's health assertions. 2014 PLOS ONE study discovered that individuals adhering to a diet tailored to their blood group exhibited improved health indicators. However, these benefits were attributed to the general quality of their dietary choices rather than their specific blood types.

Specialists in dietetics and immunology agree that Although personalized nutrition holds merit, there is no scientific foundation for relying exclusively on blood type for this approach. Arthritis risk is caused Due to a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors, rather than blood type.

There is no scientific foundation for claiming that individuals with blood type O must abstain from potatoes to ward off arthritis. This notion stems from an unsupported dietary hypothesis that lacks backing from medical research.

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