🩸 Studies Indicate That People With This Blood Type May Be More Likely to Live to 100

You may have seen headlines claiming that one particular blood type is associated with living to 100. There is a fascinating piece of research behind that claim—but the story is much more complicated than the headline suggests.

The blood type most often mentioned is type B.

A 2004 Japanese study compared 269 centenarians—people who had reached at least 100—with more than 7,000 controls. Type B occurred more frequently among the centenarians than among the controls, leading the researchers to suggest that blood type B might be associated with exceptional longevity. PubMed

But that does not mean having type B blood makes you more likely to reach 100.

🧬 What the Research Actually Shows

The ABO blood group system consists of four major blood types:

• A
• B
• AB
• O

Your blood type is determined genetically.

Researchers have investigated whether these genetic differences might influence diseases that affect lifespan, particularly cardiovascular and clotting disorders.

There is some biological reason for investigating the connection. ABO blood types are associated with differences in certain blood-clotting proteins, including von Willebrand factor and factor VIII. People with non-O blood types tend to have higher levels of these factors and, in some studies, higher risks of certain thrombotic events. PubMed

But an association with cardiovascular risk isn’t the same thing as proving that a particular blood type determines how long someone will live.

🟡 So, Is Type B the “Longevity Blood Type”?

Not according to the overall evidence.

The Japanese study found a higher proportion of type B among its centenarians. However, other research has produced different results.

For example, a study of centenarians in Western Sicily found no significant association between ABO blood groups and longevity. PubMed

Even more importantly, a much larger study of 2,201 Chinese centenarians and 2,330 middle-aged controls found no statistically significant differences in the distribution of A, B, O, or AB blood types. The researchers concluded that ABO blood groups were not associated with longevity in that population. PubMed+1

A 2026 review likewise concluded that evidence connecting ABO blood type directly with exceptional longevity remains inconsistent and population-dependent. PubMed

So the scientifically responsible conclusion is:

Some studies have found an association between type B and exceptional longevity, but the evidence is inconsistent and does not establish that type B causes people to live longer.

❤️ Blood Type May Affect Some Health Risks

While blood type doesn’t appear to be a reliable predictor of whether you’ll reach 100, it can be associated with certain health risks.

Large genetic research involving more than 400,000 people found that ABO blood groups were associated with several health outcomes, particularly cardiovascular conditions. Compared with blood group O, groups A and B were associated with higher odds of some thromboembolic events. PubMed

Another large cohort study involving more than 50,000 people found that non-O blood groups were associated with somewhat higher overall and cardiovascular mortality during follow-up. PubMed

These findings are interesting, but they don’t mean that people with A, B, or AB blood should expect a shorter life.

Individual risk depends on many factors.

🥗 selected group: people who reach 100 have, by definition, survived many What Matters Much More for Reaching 100?

Your blood type is something you inherit and cannot change.

Fortunately, many of the factors associated with healthy longevity are things you can influence.

Important examples include:

🚶 Staying physically active

Regular physical activity supports cardiovascular health, muscle strength, balance, and independence as you age.

🥦 Eating a nutritious diet

A dietary pattern rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and other minimally processed foods is far more actionable than worrying about your ABO blood type.

🚭 Avoiding tobacco

Not smoking is one of the most important things you can do to reduce premature disease and death.

❤️ Controlling blood pressure

High blood pressure can damage blood vessels and substantially increase the risk of stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, and other complications.

🩸 Managing cholesterol and blood sugar

Keeping conditions such as high cholesterol and diabetes appropriately managed can reduce cardiovascular risk.

😴 Getting adequate sleep

Consistently poor sleep can affect cardiovascular, metabolic, and mental health.

👥 Maintaining social connections

Healthy aging involves more than physical health. Maintaining meaningful relationships and staying socially engaged can contribute to overall well-being.

🧓 Why Do Some People Live Past 100?

Extreme longevity is probably the result of a combination of genetics, environment, lifestyle, socioeconomic circumstances, medical care, and chance.

Genetics clearly plays a role, but there isn’t a single “longevity gene” or blood type that guarantees exceptional lifespan.

Centenarians are an unusually selected group: people who reach 100 have, by definition, survived many diseases and environmental challenges that cause earlier mortality.

That’s why researchers study them—but also why simply comparing blood-type percentages among centenarians can be misleading.

⚠️ Don’t Change Your Lifestyle Because of Your Blood Type

You may encounter claims online that people with certain blood types should follow completely different diets or that one blood type is inherently “healthier.”

Those claims should be treated cautiously.

Your blood type is important for blood transfusion compatibility and certain medical considerations, but there isn’t good evidence that knowing your ABO type tells you which foods you personally must eat to live longer.

🔬 The Bottom Line

Type B blood has been linked with exceptional longevity in some research, but other studies—including a large Chinese centenarian study—have found no meaningful association.

A recent review of the evidence concludes that the relationship between ABO blood type and longevity remains inconsistent. PubMed+1

So if you have type B blood, you haven’t been given a guarantee of reaching 100. And if you have A, AB, or O blood, you certainly shouldn’t conclude that you’re less likely to live a long life.

Your blood type is only one small piece of biology.

Healthy habits, prevention, management of cardiovascular risk factors, access to appropriate healthcare, genetics, and many other factors are much more important to your chances of healthy longevity.