Ochratoxin A
Toxins · Mycotoxin
Moderate priority
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/
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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.