Foods That Commonly Contain Mold Toxins
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and includes the opinion of the author. Information is not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness or disease. It is simply information found through experience and/or research. Always follow the directives of a licensed health professional. Neither Anita Bastian nor the publisher of the information takes any responsibility for actions readers take in regards to how they use or perceive the information. Readers are encouraged to do their own research.
Since mycotoxins can lead to inflammation and oxidative stress, which can stimulate an immune response such as an allergic reaction, it’s important to be aware of what foods contain them so we can avoid them as much as possible. Read the list below to learn which foods commonly contain mold toxins.
Minimize these foods to avoid mold toxins. Number 3 may surprise you.
- Rice. The wet conditions where rice is harvested can increase chances of it taking on mold toxins.
- Corn. Foods containing corn such as tortilla chips, tortillas, muffin mixes, and other baked goods containing corn. There are many steps along the way of processing corn that it may increase the chances of corn taking on mold. This report about the presence of mold in recent corn harvests shows that 87% of the samples tested contained at least one species of mold toxins.
- Coffee. Sorry, coffee lovers. The fact that coffee contains mold may be a surprising bummer. Some studies show that nearly half of all coffees contain mold. There are around 18 different mycotoxins that can be found in coffee. Look for a brand that does mycotoxin testing on their products. Purity is one such brand.
- Alcohol. Alcohol is produced from grains which can contain mold toxins. Europe has more strict guidelines for the testing of mold toxins. Perhaps European is better?
- Nuts. Especially peanuts or peanut butter products. Other nuts that may contain mold are walnuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews. But I believe peanuts are the worst offenders, and I avoid them.
- Grains. Wheat, oats, and rye are all susceptible to mold toxins. Sometimes I wonder if it is the chemical toxins like glyphosate and the mold mycotoxins commonly found in grains that could be inducing allergic reactions. Just a thought.
- Dried fruits. Dates, raisins, figs, apricots. Dried fruits may harbor mold and most are treated with chemical preservatives. Lean toward enjoying fresh instead of dried fruits.
After looking at this list you may be wondering, “What can I do about mycotoxins besides limiting my intake?”
One thing I do to curb the build-up of mycotoxins is to incorporate a good-quality binder that is designed to bind and remove biological toxins, like mycotoxins. Taking this binder can help reduce the mycotoxin burden on my body. My favorite binder to use for this purpose is Biotoxin Binder. Reach out if you want to learn more.
Often, we can consume foods containing mycotoxins and not immediately feel any ill effects. But over time, intake of mycotoxins can create imbalances in our gut microbiome and lead to various digestive issues. They may also impact our heart and brain.
It’s also important to note that a runny nose or sneezing after eating some of these foods that potentially harbor mold, may be a sign that the body has taken in toxins such as mycotoxins.
At any rate, it is very important to be aware that even if our food is not visibly moldy, it still may contain mold toxins. Mold toxins or mycotoxins are linked to many unwanted health issues. To learn more, check out this article.
Blessings as you move along in your journey to greater wellness!
-Anita
