Res.Asst.Dr. Aslı DEVRIM LANPIR from our Nutrition and Dietetics Department and our student Behiye Gül PAKDEMIR’s project titled “Determination of Daily Choline Intake in Vegetarian and Vegan Adults and Comparison of Food Neophobia and Healthy Eating Obsession with Dietary Pattern and Dietary Choline Intake” has received support from Tübitak 2209-A University Students Research Projects Support Program.
Today, vegan and vegetarian diets, which are touted as beneficial for preventing climate change and as a part of healthy lifestyle, are gaining popularity. However, some essential nutrients may be missing in plant based diets. Choline, which is very important for our vital metabolic functions and human health, is one of these important nutrients. Thanks to the roles of choline in metabolism, it is involved in cellular signal transmission, regulation of gene expression, brain development in infancy and proper cognitive functioning in adulthood. Within the scope of this project, the daily intake of choline in vegans and vegetarians was determined, and it was shown that how much of the daily recommended amount of choline can be taken with plant based diet.
In conclusion; it was found that that the daily choline intake of adult vegan and vegetarian individuals is different from omnivores, the group with the lowest total daily choline intake is vegans and the highest group is omnivores. The contribution of dietary supplements to total daily choline intake was found to be insignificant. As a result of this study, it was concluded that plasma choline levels should be checked at regular intervals in vegan and vegetarian individuals who were found to be deficient in choline and should be supplemented when necessary.