A recent scientific review has revealed that blood type may play a role in determining the risk level for certain diseases, with type 2 diabetes being at the forefront, and blood type B emerging as a factor clearly linked to an increased risk. According to a comprehensive review published in the journal "BMC Medicine", individuals with blood type B, whether positive or negative, face a 28% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those with other blood types. Although this percentage is considered relatively limited, it can become significant when combined with other risk factors such as diet, lack of physical activity, or being overweight. A research team led by epidemiologist Fang Hua Liu from Shengjing Hospital, affiliated with China Medical University, explained that the relationship between blood types and health outcomes remains a subject of scientific debate, despite numerous studies attempting to explore these links. The team concluded that only one association met the criteria for strong evidence: the link between blood type B and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes compared to other blood types. Blood types are classified into four main groups: A, B, AB, and O, based on the presence or absence of specific antigens on the surface of red blood cells, as well as the Rh factor, which determines whether the type is positive or negative. Researchers point out that these subtle biological differences may be related to some variations in susceptibility to diseases, but most of these associations have not been conclusively proven after undergoing rigorous statistical tests aimed at excluding weak or unreliable results. Despite this link between blood type B and diabetes, the researchers confirm that its impact remains limited compared to other known risk factors. Additionally, the study did not directly address the potential biological reasons behind this association, though recent research suggests a possible role for the gut microbiome in this context, which still requires further investigation.
