Nutrition 101: Choline

Written By: Carolyn Berry, RD

Title: Registered Dietitian

Alumni: University of British Columbia

Last Updated on:

Choline recommended intakes and food list

Choline is an essential nutrient. The majority of the body’s choline is found in specialized fat molecules known as phospholipids, the most common of which is called phosphatidylcholine or lecithin.

Recomme​nded Intakes For Choline

The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) for choline are shown below:

Age GroupRecommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) per DayTolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) per Day
Adults  
19 years and up550 mg men
425 mg women
3.5 g
Kids and Youth  
1 to 3 years200 mg1 g
4 to 8 years250 mg1 g
9 to 13 years375 mg2 g
14 to 18 years550 mg boys
400 mg girls
3 g
Special Considerations  
Pregnant women 14 to 18 years450 mg3 g
Pregnant women 19 years and up450 mg3.5 g
Lactating women 14 to 18 years550 mg3 g
Lactating women 19 years and up550 mg3.5 g
Table 1. Recommended Daily Intakes for Choline

Because choline is water soluble, excessive intake of choline-containing foods has not been shown to be toxic to humans.

What Does Choline Do?

Choline plays a critical role in the structural integrity of cell membranes. It is necessary for the synthesis of phospholipids and other fat-containing structures in cell membranes. Choline also plays an important role in the transport and metabolism of fats. Choline is a component of a type of phospholipid called phosphatidylcholine, which is a necessary component of the fat particles that transport fat and cholesterol. Without adequate phosphatidylcholine, fat and cholesterol accumulate in the liver.

Choline is a major source of methyl groups. Chemically, choline comprises three methyl groups, making its role in methyl group metabolism highly important. Many crucial chemical events in the body rely on the transfer of methyl groups from one place to another. For example, studies have shown that choline may lessen chronic inflammation in the body through the process of methylation. Choline and its metabolite betaine work together to remove homocysteine and turn off the promoter regions of genes involved in inflammation. Chronic inflammation has been linked to a wide range of conditions including heart disease, osteoporosis, cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s, and type 2 diabetes.

Choline plays an important role in supporting nervous system activity. Choline is a key component of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter in the nervous system that carries messages to and from nerves. Because of its role in nerve-muscle function, choline supplements have been used experimentally to help improve neuromuscular function in Alzheimer’s disease patients.

Choline deficiency is uncommon; however, there are some factors that can contribute to choline deficiency, including very poor intake, liver problems such as cirrhosis, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), gastric bypass surgery, and kidney transplant.

Top Choline-Rich Foods

Choline is widespread in foods, especially milk, liver, eggs, and peanuts.

FoodCholine per serving
Liver (beef), cooked, 3 oz383.4 mg
Liver (chicken), cooked, 3 oz261 mg
Egg, hard-boiled, 1 large146.9 mg
Egg, yolk, raw, 1 large139.4 mg
Wheat germ, 1/4 cup50.5 mg
Cauliflower, raw, chopped, 1 cup47.1 mg
Milk, 2%, 1 cup40 mg
Pork, various cuts, 3 oz39.1 mg
Collard greens, boiled, 1/2 cup36.5 mg
Swiss chard, boiled, 1/2 cup25.1 mg
Peanuts, shelled, raw, 1/4 cup19.2 mg
Table 2. Choline-Rich Food List

Nutrition Facts Label and t​he % Daily Value

In the United States and Canada, the daily value for choline is 550 mg. The % daily value gives you an idea of how much Vitamin B6 is in the food you eat. Choline is not required to be listed on the Nutrition Facts Table, therefore it is often not listed.

Nutrient Interactions

  • Niacin: Niacin is necessary for the synthesis of choline.
  • Folate: Folate is necessary for the synthesis of choline.

Nutrition 101

choline, phosphatidylcholine, vitamins

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