What is Choline and its benefits

Choline is a new discovered and essential nutrient. Our body makes some amount of Choline but to avoid any deficiency, it is good to get it from our diet or healthy meals.

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What does Choline do and its functions

Choline helps for proper liver function, normal brain development, nerve function, muscle movement, supporting energy levels and maintaining a healthy metabolism. Choline is converted into a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine, which helps body functions like muscle’s contraction, activates pain responses, healthy brain functions of memorization and thinking.

Is Choline a vitamin

Choline is not actually considered a mineral or a vitamin, but is known to be an essential micronutrient required by our body for some important functions.

In this article, we will discus about what are the best food source of Choline and how our body need it.

How much Choline is needed

Although it is not clarified yet about what is the recommended dietary allowance for Choline. Here is the list which can be kept in mind while deciding over Choline needed by our body.

0–6 months: 125 mg per day
7–12 months: 150 mg per day
1–3 years: 200 mg per day
4–8 years: 250 mg per day
9–13 years: 375 mg per day
14–19 years: 400 mg per day for women and 550 mg per day for men
Adult women: 425 mg per day
Adult men: 550 mg per day
Breastfeeding women: 550 mg per day
Pregnant women: 930 mg per day

Choline is found in our daily diet, so there is no need to take any Choline supplements. Adding some foods with good amount of Choline can be best.

Here are some best source of choline riched foods.

Best Foods High in Choline

Beef liver: 1 slice (2.4 ounces or 68 grams) contains 290 mg.
Chicken liver: 1 slice (2.4 ounces or 68 grams) contains 222 mg.
Eggs: 1 large hard-boiled egg contains 113 mg.
Fresh cod: 3 ounces (85 grams) contain 248 mg.
Salmon: A 3.9-ounce (110-gram) fillet contains 62.7 mg.
Cauliflower: A 1/2 cup (118 ml) contains 24.2 mg.
Broccoli: A 1/2 cup (118 ml) contains 31.3 mg.
Soybean oil: 1 tablespoon (15 ml) contains 47.3 mg.

Choline in Eggs

One of the best and easily available source of Choline is Egg. Eggs are available all season. Apart from having the facts about the vast health benefits of Eggs, it is also a good source of Choline.

As a single egg supplies about 20–25% of your daily requirement, two large eggs provide almost half.

How much Choline needed in Pregnancy ?

Choline requirements increase during pregnancy. This is most likely due to the unborn baby requiring choline for development. Adding some good food source of Choline can be best.

Who needs Choline ?

Choline is a healthy and essential nutrient required by each person’s body. It helps in functions and metabolism of our body. Adding Choline rich foods to to our diet and meal plan is best choice.