Ochratoxin A
Toxins · Mycotoxin
Moderate priority
Bottom line
Read Off Label rates Ochratoxin A a MODERATE avoidance priority (4.1/10) based on moderate evidence of low-med harm magnitude and low-moderate ubiquitous exposure prevalence.
The 'mold in coffee' narrative pushed by some biohacker brands (Bulletproof) is overstated — major roasters test for this.
The intervention here is reducing exposure, not adding a compound.
What this is
The 'mold in coffee' narrative pushed by some biohacker brands (Bulletproof) is overstated — major roasters test for this. Some heterogeneity in cheap bulk coffee. Balkan endemic nephropathy was the clearest human signal. Mycotoxin binders (bentonite, activated charcoal) have some rationale for high-exposure populations.
Mechanism
Toxin from Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium species; contaminates coffee, wine, cereals, dried fruit; kidney-toxic; suspected carcinogen (IARC Group 2B)
Dose & route
Reputable coffee/wine sources; don't drink extremely cheap wine chronically; whole grains better stored than ground
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30562972/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29057708/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5483744/
Links go to the source. If a link is dead or you want something re-checked, let me know.
Common questions
- How harmful is Ochratoxin A?
- Ochratoxin A is rated MODERATE avoidance priority (4.1/10) on the Read Off Label scale, derived from moderate evidence of low-med harm magnitude and low-moderate ubiquitous exposure prevalence.
- How does Ochratoxin A cause harm?
- Toxin from Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium species; contaminates coffee, wine, cereals, dried fruit; kidney-toxic; suspected carcinogen (IARC Group 2B)
- How do you reduce exposure to Ochratoxin A?
- The 'mold in coffee' narrative pushed by some biohacker brands (Bulletproof) is overstated — major roasters test for this.
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.