Closing the
Choline Gap
Choline is an essential nutrient
that has many important roles such
as contributing to the structure
and function of cell membranes
and normal brain development.
However, it is a nutrient that is
frequently under-consumed by
those who need it most. In fact,
fewer than 10 percent of older
children, men, women and pregnant
women meet the recommended
Adequate Intake for choline.
Emerging research shows that
choline may be especially critical
for normal fetal brain development.
So what will it take to help close
the choline gap? One large egg
contains 125 milligrams of choline
– adding an egg a day can help
close the gap for many of these
populations.
many more adults will meet the Adequate
Intake with the addition of an egg a day.
Only 10 percent of pregnant women meet
the Adequate Intake for choline.
The chart below shows the percent of adults
with usual intakes above the Adequate Intake.
The red bars show the current percentages of
adults with usual intakes of choline above the
Adequate Intake. The blue bars show how
Percent of Adults with Estimated Usual Intake
of Total Choline Greater than Adequate Intake (AI)*
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Men 19-50
AI = 550mg
Men 51-70
AI = 550mg
Observed Intakes
Men > 70
AI = 550mg
Women 19-50
AI = 425mg
Women 51-70
AI = 425mg
Women > 70
AI = 425mg
Pregnant Women
AI = 450mg
Adding One Egg per Day
The chart below shows the percent of children
with usual intakes above the Adequate Intake.
The red bars show the current percentages of
children with usual intakes of choline above
the Adequate Intake. The blue bars show
how many more children will meet the
Adequate Intake with the addition of an
egg a day.
Percent of Children with Estimated Usual Intake
of Total Choline Greater than Adequate Intake (AI)*
100
80
60
40
20
0
Children 1-3
AI = 200mg
Observed Intakes
Children 4-8
AI = 250mg
Boys 9-13
AI = 375mg
Boys 14-18
AI = 550mg
Girls 9-13
AI = 375mg
Girls 14-18
AI = 400mg
Adding One Egg per Day
* Batres-Marquez SP, et al. Choline in the Diets of the U.S. Population: NHANES, 2003-2004, Iowa State University.
Presented at Experimental Biology 2007, Washington DC.
See other side for information about choline content
of some common foods.
Closing the
Choline Gap
Everyone needs to get enough choline
in their diets to stay healthy.
Several common foods contain choline, but
eggs rise above as an excellent, convenient,
and inexpensive source. Ounce for ounce,
eggs provide more choline than beef or
chicken.
Choline intake is especially critical during
pregnancy and lactation. Two eggs supply
about 50 percent of a pregnant woman’s
choline needs, and about 40 percent of a
lactating woman’s choline needs.
Beef Liver (3 oz)
362 mg of choline
Chicken Liver (3 oz)
247 mg of choline
Egg (one)
125 mg of choline
This chart compares choline content of
common foods, based on per serving basis.
Chicken (3 oz)
67 mg of choline
Salmon (3 oz)
58 mg of choline
Soybeans (1/2 cup)
41 mg of choline
2% Milk (one cup)
40 mg of choline
Broccoli (1/2 cup)
31 mg of choline
Wheat Germ (2 Tbsp)
27 mg of choline
Milk Chocolate (44g)
20 mg of choline
Choline content in some foods, milligrams of choline per
recommended serving size. U.S. Department of Agriculture National
Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 20. 2007.
Bacon (two slices)
20 mg of choline