What are choline’s main benefits?

    Last Updated: April 23, 2024

    Choline supplementation during pregnancy or early childhood has favorable effects on children’s brain function and neurodevelopment, including memory, attention, and visual-spatial learning.[1] Choline supplementation among children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder improves memory, nonverbal intelligence, visual-spatial skills, ADHD symptoms, executive function, and white matter microstructure.[2][3][4] These effects occur primarily when choline is supplemented before the age of 5.

    Higher choline intakes have been associated with a lower risk for cardiovascular events and stroke, cognitive impairment, post-stroke depression,[5] cardiovascular disease,[6] and dementia.[7] A higher intake of choline is also associated with lower levels of cardiometabolic risk factors.[8] Interestingly, a low choline intake may impair gains in strength and lean mass in response to exercise training[9][10] and reduce cognitive function.[7]

    References

    1. ^Obeid R, Derbyshire E, Schön CAssociation between Maternal Choline, Fetal Brain Development, and Child Neurocognition: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Human Studies.Adv Nutr.(2022 Dec 22)
    2. ^Wozniak JR, Fuglestad AJ, Eckerle JK, Fink BA, Hoecker HL, Boys CJ, Radke JP, Kroupina MG, Miller NC, Brearley AM, Zeisel SH, Georgieff MKCholine supplementation in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Am J Clin Nutr.(2015 Nov)
    3. ^Wozniak JR, Fink BA, Fuglestad AJ, Eckerle JK, Boys CJ, Sandness KE, Radke JP, Miller NC, Lindgren C, Brearley AM, Zeisel SH, Georgieff MKFour-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial of choline for neurodevelopment in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.J Neurodev Disord.(2020 Mar 12)
    4. ^Gimbel BA, Anthony ME, Ernst AM, Roediger DJ, de Water E, Eckerle JK, Boys CJ, Radke JP, Mueller BA, Fuglestad AJ, Zeisel SH, Georgieff MK, Wozniak JRLong-term follow-up of a randomized controlled trial of choline for neurodevelopment in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: corpus callosum white matter microstructure and neurocognitive outcomes.J Neurodev Disord.(2022 Dec 16)
    5. ^Miao M, Du J, Che B, Guo Y, Zhang J, Ju Z, Xu T, Zhong X, Zhang Y, Zhong CCirculating choline pathway nutrients and depression after ischemic stroke.Eur J Neurol.(2022 Feb)
    6. ^Zhou R, Yang M, Yue C, Shi Y, Tan Y, Zha L, Zhang J, Chen SAssociation between Dietary Choline Intake and Cardiovascular Diseases: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2016.Nutrients.(2023 Sep 18)
    7. ^Ylilauri MPT, Voutilainen S, Lönnroos E, Virtanen HEK, Tuomainen TP, Salonen JT, Virtanen JKAssociations of dietary choline intake with risk of incident dementia and with cognitive performance: the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study.Am J Clin Nutr.(2019 Dec 1)
    8. ^Díez-Ricote L, San-Cristobal R, Concejo MJ, Martínez-González MÁ, Corella D, Salas-Salvadó J, Goday A, Martínez JA, Alonso-Gómez ÁM, Wärnberg J, Vioque J, Romaguera D, López-Miranda J, Estruch R, Tinahones FJ, Lapetra J, Serra-Majem L, Bueno-Cavanillas A, Tur JA, Martín Sánchez V, Pintó X, Gaforio JJ, Matía-Martín P, Vidal J, Mas Fontao S, Ros E, Vázquez-Ruiz Z, Ortega-Azorín C, García-Gavilán JF, Malcampo M, Martínez-Urbistondo D, Tojal-Sierra L, García Rodríguez A, Gómez-Bellvert N, Chaplin A, García-Ríos A, Bernal-López RM, Santos-Lozano JM, Basterra-Gortari J, Sorlí JV, Murphy M, Gasulla G, Micó V, Salaverria-Lete I, Goñi Ochandorena E, Babio N, Herraiz X, Ordovás JM, Daimiel LOne-year longitudinal association between changes in dietary choline or betaine intake and cardiometabolic variables in the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea-Plus (PREDIMED-Plus) trial.Am J Clin Nutr.(2022 Dec 19)
    9. ^Lee CW, Lee TV, Galvan E, Chen VCW, Bui S, Crouse SF, Fluckey JD, Smith SB, Riechman SEThe Effect of Choline and Resistance Training on Strength and Lean Mass in Older Adults.Nutrients.(2023-Sep-06)
    10. ^Lee CW, Galvan E, Lee TV, Chen VCW, Bui S, Crouse SF, Fluckey JD, Smith SB, Riechman SELow Intake of Choline Is Associated with Diminished Strength and Lean Mass Gains in Older Adults.J Frailty Aging.(2023)