10 Foods High In Choline, Health Benefits, & Deficiency Effects

The micronutrient choline plays a vital role in improving cardiovascular health, enhancing cognitive ability, and reducing cancer risk. Including choline-rich foods is a way to get this nutrient as our body produces it in limited amounts. It is found in many animal and plant foods. Keep reading to know which foods are rich in choline, the benefits of this nutrient, and how much choline you need for your body. Scroll down to know what foods have choline.

Choline-Rich Foods

1. Whole Eggs

Eggs are the best and primary source of choline. One large egg with yolk contains 147 mg of choline, which is more concentrated in the yolk (680 mg/100g) than the egg white (1 mg/100 g) (1 ),(2). This essential nutrient gets absorbed more easily when consumed in its natural form (bound to phospholipids) than as a supplement. Studies suggest that phospholipids in egg yolk improve choline absorption (3). Higher choline intake can, in turn, improve cognitionⁱ  XIt includes all conscious and unconscious processes by which knowledge is acquired and understood through experience and senses. function in humans (4).

Quick Tip

Breakfast is a great time to incorporate eggs into your diet. An omelet, scrambled eggs, or egg-covered toast can keep you energized the whole day.

2. Fish

Seafood is a rich source of several nutrients like choline. Fish like tuna, salmon, and haddock have high choline content — and three ounces of smoked salmon contain 187 mg of choline (5). A study by the Child and Family Research Institute, Canada, found that higher fish intake improves blood concentrations of vitamin D, choline, and DHA (omega-3 fatty acid) (6).

Quick Tip

You can also cook food in fish oil or consume fish oil supplements to increase your choline intake.

3. Organ Meat

Organ meat is one of the best choline sources. Consuming at least 90g of meat per day along with eggs (one per three days) and milk products helps meet the daily choline requirement in children (7). One slice (85g) of beef liver contains 359 mg of choline (8). Beef was shown to improve iron content in blood and enhance cognitive function in young women. However, it had no specific benefit over non-beef protein with regard to iron levels ( 9). Three ounces of chicken liver, chicken broiler, and turkey contain 247 mg, 56 mg, and 71.7 mg of choline, respectively (1),(9).

4. Soy

Raw soybeans (100g) contain 116 mg of choline (10). They can be the ultimate source of choline for vegetarians. Such individuals can also take soy products like tofu, soy milk, tempeh, and edamame.

5. Cruciferous Vegetables

Green vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower are rich sources of choline. One cup each of chopped broccoli (91g) and chopped cauliflower (107g) contains 17 mg and 47.4 mg of choline, respectively (11 ),(12). Besides, one cup (160g) of cooked Brussels sprouts provides 31.2 mg of choline (13 ).

iQuell, a blogger, shared his journey of becoming a vegetarian and embraced many vegetables as a part of his diet. He says, “Most of the time I eat broccoli in salads or stir fry because I don’t like it overcooked. I don’t even know if it taste good or bad I’m just used to it now. It’s high in vitamin K and choline and improves your memory (i)”.

6. Potatoes

One medium potato (173g) contains 24.9 mg of choline (14 ). Red potatoes are another great source of choline with carbs. One baked small red potato (138g) provides 26.1 mg of choline (15).

7. Beans

Studies suggest that immature lima beans are the best source of choline for vegans (16). One cup (170g) of lima beans contains 75 mg of choline (17). Also, 100g of kidney beans provides 30.5 mg of choline (18).

8. Shiitake Mushrooms

Shiitake mushrooms are rich in flavor. Cooked shiitake mushrooms (100g) provide 36.8 mg of choline, and these can be added to your soups, pasta, or stir-fries (19 ). Their regular intake can help improve immunity and reduce inflammatory markers (20). They also have anti-oxidative and anti-atherosclerotic properties that help reduce cardiovascular diseases (21).

9. Cottage Cheese

Dairy products like low-fat milk and cottage cheese are excellent sources of choline. One cup (210g) of cottage cheese contains 38.6 mg of choline (22). It is also rich in calcium, which is essential for maintaining bone health and weight loss (23), (24). Besides, it has a mild taste and is easy to incorporate into your diet. Add it to your salads, baked items, smoothies, or use it as an alternative to sour cream.

10. Almonds

Almonds are highly nutritious tree nuts with many health benefits. One cup (141g) of unroasted almonds contains 73.5 mg of choline (25). You can have them in your breakfast or blend them to make smoothies.

Besides, fruits like kiwi and apples are also rich sources of choline. A half-cup each of raw kiwi and chopped raw apples contain 7 mg and 2 mg of choline, respectively (26).

Consuming choline-rich foods is associated with many health benefits. Keep scrolling to know them.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Choline?

• May Improve Brain Function

Choline-containing foods, such as eggs, liver, and salmon as well as choline supplements, are considered brain-boosting foods. You can consider them memory-enhancing foods, cognitive function foods, or nerve function foods as well. This is because choline is an essential nutrient that produces acetylcholine (neurotransmitter). Loss of cholinergic neurons is associated with impaired cognitive function, particularly memory loss and Alzheimer’s diseaseⁱ  XA progressive disease that impairs cognitive functions as a result of damage to brain cells and dementia. . Higher choline intake is found to improve cognitive performance. A review published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that dietary choline intake has neuroprotective effects and can improve cognitive function (27). Choline intake during pregnancy can also improve fetal brain development (28).

• May Support Heart Health

Choline-rich foods can also be considered heart health foods. Long-term choline intake may reduce the risk of inflammatory conditions and cardiovascular diseases (29). A study by Wageningen University, The Netherlands, on post-menopausal women found that high choline intake can lower homocysteine (an amino acid) levels. High homocysteine levels are associated with an increased risk of CVD ( 30). It may also protect the heart by reducing blood pressure and changing lipid profiles. 

However, certain studies have shown no association between choline intake and a reduced risk of CVD. Therefore, more research needs to be done.

• May Reduce Risk Of Breast Cancer

High choline intake may help prevent the development of breast cancer in post-menopausal women. Choline may also help reduce breast cancer mortality once diagnosed (31),( 32). However, limited studies are available to support this claim.

Inadequate intake of choline can impact your health. Let’s discuss the negative effects of choline deficiency in the following section.

Effects Of Choline Deficiency

Choline is a key nutrient in maintaining the integrity of cell structure, DNA synthesis, and metabolism. A study by the March of Dimes in Berkley, California, suggests that low dietary intake of choline in pregnant women significantly increases the risk of neural tube and oral cleft defects in babies (33). Choline deficiency in people is also associated with liver and muscle dysfunction (and damage) and increases the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (choline plays an important role in fat transportation from the liver and its deficiency may cause fat accumulation in the liver), apoptosisⁱ  XA biological process of programmed cell death in multicellular organisms to get rid of abnormal or damaged cells. , and increased DNA strand breaks (34). Thus, the intake of liver health foods like choline-rich ingredients is necessary to avoid these complications.

You must now be willing to include choline in your diet. But how much choline should you take to meet your dietary needs?

How Much Choline Does A Human Body Need?

Adequate choline requirements for different age groups include (26):

Pregnant women should take 450 mg/day of choline and increase it to 550 mg/day during breastfeeding.

While it is possible to get choline from your diet, some people may need to supplement its intake with outside sources. Check the next section for some of the best supplements for choline in your diet.

Best Choline Supplements

1. Choline Alfoscerate

This supplement is also known as alpha-glycerophosphocholine (GPC) and has a high choline content (41% by weight) and is one of the most used food supplements for choline (36). Moreover, due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, it may help enhance cognitive function and aid in the treatment of diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia (36).

2. Lecithin

It is a mixture of fats found in foods like egg yolk and nuts that may have positive effects on diseases like hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular disorders (36).

3. Citicoline

A naturally occurring chemical in human and animal cells that may help enhance brain metabolism, and help improve memory and conditions like dementia and Parkinson’s (36).

Infographic: Choline: Risk Groups For Deficiency & Toxicity

Choline is one of the most essential nutrients the human body needs. However, according to many studies, the dietary choline intake of most humans has been found to be below par. In the following infographic, we list the groups that are at risk of choline deficiency. We have also provided insight into choline toxicity and its symptoms. Check it out!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Are bananas high in choline?

No, a medium sized banana contains only about 12 mgs of choline.

Do lemons have choline?

Lemons have small quantities of choline and are not considered a good source.

Does cooking eggs destroy choline?

No,cooking eggs does not destroy any significant quantity of choline.

Do avocados have choline?

Avocados contain moderate amounts of choline, around 14.2 mg per 100 g.

Can choline reverse fatty liver?

While fatty liver disease is associated with choline deficiency, there is no evidence to support that consuming choline can reverse the condition.

What happens if you have too much choline?

Consuming choline in very large quantities may lead to liver toxicity, low blood pressure, increase the risk of cardiovascular issues and cause side effects such as vomiting, nauseaⁱ  XAn uneasy feeling in the stomach that causes an urge to vomit but does not always lead to vomiting. , fishy odor and excessive sweating (1).

Check out a certified dietitian’s top tips on getting more choline in your diet. Watch this video to learn how to add choline-rich foods into your meals and snacks for optimal health.

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Bulelani MakapelaRD

 

Bulelani Makapela is a registered dietitian based in East London, South Africa. She has an interest in clinical and community nutrition and food service management. She is passionate about nutrition education as she believes it is one of the fundamental parts in the treatment of individuals with chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, etc.   Bulelani completed her studies at...more

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