Many people are curious whether something as simple as blood type could influence how long someone lives. A range of scientific studies has looked at links between the four main ABO blood groups A, B, AB and O and health outcomes that could affect lifespan, including risks for heart disease, stroke and other age‑related illnesses. Some research suggests that one particular type may be more common among people who live to 100 years or beyond, though scientists caution that blood type is just one of many factors involved in longevity.
Blood Type O: A Potential Longevity Advantage
A number of genetic studies suggest that individuals with blood type O might have biological advantages that contribute to a longer life. One reported link is a lower risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes, which are leading causes of death in many populations. Reduced incidence of these conditions can improve life expectancy overall. Researchers have also found that people with type O tend to have a lower risk of some cancers, and they may have fewer heart‑disease‑related deaths on average than those with other blood types. In several genetic analyses involving hundreds of older adults, type O appeared disproportionately among those who lived past 100 years, suggesting a possible association with extreme longevity. At least two explanations have been proposed: first, individuals with type O have fewer molecules that promote blood clotting, which could help protect against heart disease and stroke; second, there may be differences in immune‑system response that influence chronic disease risk over many decades.
What About Other Blood Types?
Not all research points only to blood type O. Some older small studies suggested that people with type B might show up more often among groups of centenarians in certain populations, though later analyses found conflicting evidence and some indicated type B may decline with age more than other types in some cohorts. That highlights the fact that findings can vary between populations and study designs. For example, one study in Tokyo noted a higher frequency of type B among centenarians compared with younger controls, but this pattern has not been consistently observed in broader patient populations. Similarly, differences in health outcomes related to other blood groups (like A or AB) are complex. Some research hints that type A may have slightly higher risks of early stroke compared with type O, but this relates to specific cardiovascular risks rather than direct evidence of lifespan differences.
Beyond Blood Type: What Really Matters for Longevity
Even though certain blood types may be statistically over‑represented among very old adults in some studies, experts emphasise that blood type by itself does not determine lifespan. Genes, environment, nutrition, physical activity, stress levels and access to healthcare all play major roles in whether someone lives to 100 or beyond. For instance, research shows that populations of centenarians tend to share favorable health biomarker profiles — including balanced cholesterol, glucose, and inflammation markers — regardless of blood type. These biological factors are shaped by complex interactions between genetics and lifestyle over many decades. In other words, while having a blood type associated with lower cardiovascular risk might help, it is not a guarantee of exceptional longevity. People with all blood types can live long, healthy lives if other lifestyle and environmental conditions support it
Scientific Consensus and Public Interest
Interest in links between blood type and longevity remains high among the general public, in part because blood type is easy to know and unchangeable. However, scientists caution against interpreting such associations as causal or predictive on an individual level. More large‑scale, well‑controlled research is needed to clarify how much blood type truly contributes to lifespan compared with other genetic and lifestyle influences. In summary, blood type O may offer some health advantages linked to a lower risk of major age‑related diseases, which could help explain its prevalence among some centenarian groups. But living to 100 is a complex outcome influenced by many factors beyond blood type alone.
