Potato Consumption Increases Arthritis Risk in People With Type O Blood
On April 17, 2025 a TikTok user made a claim that people with type O blood should not consume potatoes because it puts them at risk of getting arthritis.
The TikTok post with this claim is a 28 seconds video captioned, “You should eat foods according to your blood group. Visit us today to get to know your blood group and a personalized meal plan ☎️0719-881-291 #nutrition #arthritis #bloodgroup #stellarphysio #wellness #nutritiontips #nutritionist”
As at the time of filing this report, the post had over 1.2 million views, about 4,140 comments, about 34,500 likes, over 7,000 bookmarks and 14,800 shares.
VERIFICATION
To verify the source of the video, NV-A checked the handle of the video for a clue and got the name to be stellar_physio and a clue about the location was also gotten to be along Ngong road as seen in the screenshot below, underlined with red ink.
A further location check was used, deploying the geolocation tool and it was revealed that the physio is based in Nairobi, Kenya, which might have been where the video originated from, as seen in the image below as identical features are encircled with red ink.
The signboard on the address stated that the business specialises in consultation, lower back pain and spine health, arthritis and joint pains, sports injuries, stroke rehabilitation, laboratory and pharmacy. These services and more are also listed on the company’s website.
In order to verify the claim made in the post, NV-A conducted keyword searches which led to an article that credited naturopathic doctor, Peter J. D’Adamo as a pioneer of blood type diets. Dr. D’Adamo published a book in 1996 titled Eat Right 4 Your Type, where he claimed that certain foods can lower inflammation, boost energy, help with weight loss, and prevent disease. He also advised people to avoid certain foods such as wheat, dairy products and nightshade vegetables, a group that includes potatoes, tomatoes and aubergines and encouraged them to eat a lot of protein.
What Is Nightshade And What Food Belongs To The Family?
The nightshade family, also known as Solanaceae, is a large and diverse family of flowering plants that includes both edible and poisonous varieties. Common examples of nightshade vegetables include tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and peppers. However, the family also includes toxic plants like tobacco and belladonna.
What Causes Arthritis?
Research shows that arthritis is caused by a mix of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors, not blood type.
Dr. Inyang Marcus from the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, said that “arthritis is a chronic disease that causes inflammation around the body, with pain in the joints,” adding that “the causes of rheumatoid arthritis remain unknown.” He noted that “if left untreated, it can cause severe damage to the joints and their surrounding tissue, further degenerating to heart, lung or nervous system problems.” Noting that “arthritis is unconnected to blood group”
Is Arthritis Peculiar To Type O Blood Only?
Arthritis does not exclusively affect people with type O blood. While some studies suggest potential links between blood type and certain autoimmune diseases, including arthritis, these are not definitive and arthritis can affect individuals of all blood groups. Research has shown that type O blood may be associated with certain autoimmune conditions, but not specifically arthritis, and that other blood groups, like B, may be linked to increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis.
What Is The Connection With Blood Group, Arthritis And Potatoes?
Currently, there is no scientific evidence to back up the claim that people with type O blood, or any of the other blood groups, are more likely to get arthritis from eating potatoes. A 2021 study of people on a low-fat vegan diet found no connection between blood type and lipid levels or other metabolic measures. Hence, blood type diet does not specifically link potatoes to arthritis.
A Healthline article advises people to avoid plants in the Solanaceae (nightshade) family, which includes potatoes, claiming that such plants can cause inflammation and digestive problems.
Dr. Marcus further explained that “potatoes being connected with arthritis remains a myth, being that there is no scientific basis for saying that people with blood type O should avoid potatoes to prevent arthritis, since this medical condition is not limited to type O blood alone.” He advised that if a person notices some strange reactions after consuming any food from the Solanaceae family, such a person should discontinue and seek proper medical advice.”
CONCLUSION
The claim that people living with type O blood are likely to develop arthritis is scientifically unfounded and therefore MISLEADING. Research has proven that arthritis cannot be developed through food consumption. And not limited to people with type O blood only.
