If you belong to the O blood group is O, you won’t be thrilled about the findings of a recent study published in the journal Critical Care. Tokyo-based researchers pored over the medical records of over 900 patients in critical care medical centres in Japan and found something disconcerting. Out of all the patients admitted with severe trauma, the ones with O blood type were more likely to die. The researchers found that 28 percent of patients admitted for traumatic injury died despite given timely treatment belonged to the O type. The lead author of the study said that blood group O may be a potential risk factor for haemorrhage.

The human blood is divided into groups, depending upon the Rhesus factor, a protein found on the surface of red blood cells. O+ holds the distinction of being the commonest blood group, comprising 38 percent of the population. In addition to that, type O is also the oldest blood type, which seems to have originated when men were still aggressive predators.

1. More Prone to Mosquito Bites

People belonging to the O blood group tend to get bitten more by mosquitoes than the others. That’s because mosquitoes clearly have a favourite type when it comes to blood. A study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology found out that mosquitoes have a clear preference for O positive blood group, which is probably why they land more on people belonging to the O blood group than any other.

2. Lesser Chances of Malaria

While type O is a favourite among mosquitoes, ironically, it also has reduced risk of contracting one of the worst forms of malaria. A study published in Nature Medicine by Scandinavian researchers concluded that people with type O blood are protected from dying of severe malaria. The mechanisms of RIFIN protein in type O blood shields them better against the disease.

3. Higher Chances of Peptic Ulcers

Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop on the inner lining of the stomach and a small upper portion of the small intestine. Sadly for Type O blood group, the chances of contracting peptic ulcers are more than any other blood types. The bacteria H. pylori or Heliobacterium pylori is a gram-negative bacterium associated with ulcers, which also has a special preference for type O blood. The pathogen finds it easier to adhere to the antigen in type O blood, making the blood group more susceptible to gastric ulcers.

4. Lesser Chances of Stroke

People with O blood type are also better protected against heart diseases. The blood type lowers their risk of contracting cardiovascular diseases by 23 percent.

5. Lesser Chances of Cancer

While they are not completely immune from it, type O blood group also tends to be better protected against the other blood type against certain cancers. Colorectal, pancreatic and stomach cancer are lesser in people with type O blood group.

6. More Stomach Acids

People with type O blood have a higher chance of developing ulcers, possibly because they are predisposed to having more stomach acids. But the good part is that the high levels of gastric acids help them break down hard-to-digest proteins and fat-heavy meals. Two chemicals, intestinal alkaline phosphatase enzyme and ApoB48 lipoprotein, also helps them break down animal-based cholesterol better.

7. Heightened ‘Fight or Flight’ Response

The ‘Fight or Flight’ response also known as hyperarousal or acute stress response, which enables us to tackle a stressful situation, either through fight or confrontation or flight or escape. It is triggered by the release of certain hormones, which helped our ancestors react to a dangerous situation appropriately. Since type O is the oldest blood type, it has retained some of its ancient instinctual responses. That’s why type O individuals are more likely to produce higher levels of noradrenaline and adrenaline during stress. This is said to cause episodes of extreme emotional responses and destructive behaviour in type O individuals.

These facts suggest that there is more to our blood type than what meets the eye. The Rhesus factor can determine not only our risks for certain diseases but also our behavioural predisposition.  And while type O may have some negatives, it also enjoys a lot of health benefits compared to other blood groups.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 03, 2018 05:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).