CHOLINE AND HEALTH: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW BASED ON HUMAN STUDIES

FENG Kai-ying, PENG Jun-hong, HUANG Xu-hang, LI Shu-yi, ZHANG Guo-qiang, ZHU Hui-lian

Acta Nutrimenta Sinica ›› 2025, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (5) : 495-505.

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Acta Nutrimenta Sinica ›› 2025, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (5) : 495-505.
CRITICAL REVIEWS

CHOLINE AND HEALTH: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW BASED ON HUMAN STUDIES

  • FENG Kai-ying1, PENG Jun-hong1, HUANG Xu-hang2, LI Shu-yi3, ZHANG Guo-qiang4, ZHU Hui-lian1
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Abstract

Objective To review the effects of choline on early childhood cognitive function and growth development, middle-age and elderly cognitive function, metabolic associated fatty liver disease, body composition, cancer, risk of mortality. Methods Electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and SinoMed from 2003.01 to 2024.05 were searched for systematic reviews, meta-analysis and prospective studies related to the association between choline and health outcomes. Results A total of 90 studies from 34655 papers were included. We found that: (1) higher choline intake was correlated with better cognitive function such as memory, language, learning, attention, and executive function in infants and children aged 6 months to 7 years; (2) choline intake was positively correlated with the height and weight of infants, and could also improve growth (such as body weight and head circumference) in infants with prenatal alcohol exposure; (3) higher intake of choline showed a significant association with enhanced cognitive performance in middle-aged and older adults, which contributed to reduced Alzheimer's disease incidence and attenuated progression of dementia-related symptoms; (4) choline intake could reduce the risk of fatty liver disease; (5) serum choline was associated with improved body composition; (6) no significant association was observed between choline and the overall risk of cancers or the risk of all-cause mortality. Conclusion Choline is closely associated with a variety of beneficial health outcomes. Choline-rich foods should be reasonably consumed as part of a healthy diet to obtain maximum health benefits.

Key words

choline / cognitive function / fatty liver / cancer / risk of all-cause mortality

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FENG Kai-ying, PENG Jun-hong, HUANG Xu-hang, LI Shu-yi, ZHANG Guo-qiang, ZHU Hui-lian. CHOLINE AND HEALTH: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW BASED ON HUMAN STUDIES[J]. Acta Nutrimenta Sinica. 2025, 47(5): 495-505

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