In a comprehensive review published in the “Nutrients” journal, research led by Emma Derbyshire shed light on the concerning habitual choline intakes across the childbearing years worldwide. The study emphasized that choline, a crucial nutrient for brain function, is particularly vital during the first 1000 days after conception.

Despite its significance, the research found that habitual intakes of choline from both foods alone and the combination of foods and supplements are consistently falling below the estimated adequate intakes for this demographic. Analyzing data from studies spanning the years 2004 to 2021, the researchers identified 26 relevant publications. Notably, the average choline intake in the 23 chosen research studies varied from 233 mg per day to 383 mg per day.

The findings designated that consumption levels remained suboptimal, regardless of the status of pregnancy or lactation. The authors of the review stressed the urgency of implementing measures to address this nutritional gap. Specifically, they called for advancements in the quality of choline data in nutritional food composition tables and considered choline intake reporting in dietary surveys. Furthermore, the review advocated for increased awareness regarding the crucial roles of choline in fetal-maternal health.