14 Cool Facts About Blood Types

Did you know that your blood type can reveal hidden insights about your health and even your personality? Blood, a precious and ubiquitous crimson liquid, flows through your body, carrying vital information about your ancestry and well-being. Yet, many of us take it for granted.

Without knowing your blood type, you can't even accept blood transfusions or know who you can donate your blood to. Researchers are now going beyond B, AB, and O types and uncovering many blood-related facts. For instance, research shows that your blood type might influence your risk of diabetes or gastric diseases.

Here, we have compiled a list of 14 cool facts about blood types that you should know.

1. Type O Blood has a Lower Risk of Contracting Malaria

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People with an O blood type tend to get bitten by insects more often than those with other blood types. However, they have a unique advantage when it comes to malaria. Research shows that a protein called RIFIN, linked to malaria, doesn't attach as effectively to O blood cells.

This means that individuals with O blood type are less likely to experience severe effects from malaria, making their blood type a protective factor against the disease.

2. Type O Blood is Linked to Lower Heart Issues

Another piece of good news for people with the O blood group! Your heart has good luck. Scientists discovered at the 2017 World Congress on Acute Heart Failure that people with type O blood have a lower risk of heart attacks and strokes compared to those with type A, B, or AB blood.

The bad news is for individuals with type A, B, or AB blood, though. People with these blood types reportedly have a 9% higher risk of developing coronary and cardiovascular diseases.

3. Type A Blood Linked to Higher Risk of Stomach Cancer

People with type O blood group seem to have an edge when it comes to diseases. Unfortunately, it has been found that stomach cancer is more common in people with type A blood.

Research has found that people with type A blood have a significantly higher risk of developing stomach cancer compared to those with type O blood. The reason for this is unknown at this point.

4. People With Type AB Blood are at Greater Risk of Developing Cognitive Issues

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If your blood type is AB, it is recommended that you monitor your cognitive health closely.

According to a study in 2015, People with type AB blood may be at a higher risk of cognitive impairment. They found that individuals with such blood types have an 82% higher risk of cognitive decline compared to others.

5. Negative Blood Types Linked to Mental Health Issues

Just to add a little extra complexity to the matter, blood types can be positive or negative. This refers to the Rhesus factor antibodies. Your blood type is positive if your blood cells have them, negative if they don't. Those with a negative blood type—regardless of whether their blood type is A, B, AB, or O—carry a heightened risk for mental health issues.

A study published in 2015 in PLoS One highlighted that men with negative blood types were more prone to report mental health disorders, including panic disorders, antisocial personality disorders, and attention deficit disorders.

6. Rhesus Factor Can Cause Complications in Pregnancy

Rh factor can cause issues and harm to both the mother and fetus during pregnancy. According to the doctors, when a woman with Rh-negative blood has a fetus with Rh-positive blood, Rh incompatibility can occur.

The woman's body may produce antibodies that can cross the placenta and harm the fetus. This can lead to serious health problems or miscarriage. Luckily, health providers screen for this issue routinely in pregnant women and can provide treatment (usually a preventative shot) where appropriate to increase the mother's and baby's safety.

7. Positive Blood Types are More Common

The O blood group is generally the most common overall. In most ethnic groups around the world, O positive reigns as the most common blood group. Meanwhile, AB negative is a very unique and uncommon blood type.

Negative blood types are rarer. Statistics show that only about 16% of the total U.S. population has a negative blood type.

8. The Blood Type is Determined by "Sugar"

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This sounds like a fascinating oversimplification of a cool fact about blood types, but as it turns out, certain simple carbohydrate structures (or sugar if you're not a chemistry nerd) are present on the surface of red blood cells. These are what tell you if you're type A, B, AB, or O.

These sugars, called antigens, are complex molecules that interact with your immune system. The certain combination of antigens present in your red blood cells determines your blood type.

9. The "Universal Donor" Blood Type

You’re lucky if you can help others in need. Yes! I am talking about the O-negative blood type. They are in high demand in blood banks as they are considered universal donors. Their blood can be safely transfused into people with any other blood type.

This type of blood doesn't contain any of the antigens, such as A, B, or Rh factor. Hence, it can't trigger an immune reaction in recipients, making it compatible with all blood types.

10. The "Universal Recipient" Blood Type

Blessed are those who can accept blood from anyone. Blood type AB is known as the universal recipient.

Type AB-positive blood contains both A and B antigens and the Rh factor. The patient's immune system doesn't recognize these antigens as foreign and won't attack them.

11. Type B Blood Linked to Higher Risk of Gastroenteric Cancers

Much like how type A blood is linked to a higher incidence of gastric cancer than other blood types, type B blood is linked to a higher chance of developing esophageal and biliary cancers, collectively referred to as gastroenteric cancers.

While blood type is linked to increased risk for these types of cancers, many other factors contribute to their development. For example, studies have found that having type 2 diabetes was also closely linked to incidents of gastroenteric cancer development in addition to type B blood.

12. Non-O Blood Types Clot More

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Non-O individuals have higher levels of the proteins Von Willebrand factor and factor VIII, which are very important in the blood clotting process.

The role these factors play in your body means that increased levels can cause clotting disorders. This means that individuals with type A, B, or AB blood have a higher risk of developing conditions like venous thromboembolism (DVT).

13. Non-O Blood Types are at Higher Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes

While the type O blood types are using their protective powers again, people with type B blood find themselves at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It is thought that since our blood type is determined by our genetics, this is where the predisposition for type 2 diabetes comes from.

It is recommended that people with type B blood are regularly screened. Pairing that vigilance with good lifestyle choices such as regular exercise and a balanced diet still gives people with B blood type plenty of say in their own destinies.

14. Type O Blood Attracts Mosquitoes

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Are you wondering why you're bitten by mosquitoes more than others around you? It turns out your blood is a magnet for them!

A study found that some mosquitoes, like Aedes albopictus, are more attracted to people with type O blood. This is due to the sugars some people secrete through their skin, which mosquitoes can sense.