People who eat plant-based products might be missing on a key brain nutrient, a nutritionist has warned.
Dr. Emma Derbyshire, who has degrees in Human Nutrition and Nutritional Biochemistry, said vegans may not be getting enough of ‘choline’ as compared to the people who eat dairy products and meat.
Choline is a key brain nutrient which helps in transferring signals between our nerve cells. Even though it’s present in some plant products, it’s abundantly available in meat and dairy foods.
In a piece written for a BMJ journal, nutritionist Emma Derbyshire claimed that breastfeeding and pregnant women need to get enough choline as it’s extremely important for the brain development of their kids.
The public health nutritionist, who also owns a London-based health consultancy, the Nutritional Insight Limited, wrote in the journal: “The mounting evidence of choline’s importance makes it essential that it does not continue to be overlooked in the UK […].
“The train is moving so fast, and more people are ditching meat and eggs. But it could leave many women of childbearing age deficient in this key nutrient.”
She continued: “Given the important physiological roles of choline and authorization of certain health claims, it is questionable why choline has been overlooked for so long in the UK.
“Choline is presently excluded from UK food composition databases, major dietary surveys, and dietary guidelines.
Dr. Emma added: “If choline is not obtained in the levels needed from dietary sources per se then supplementation strategies will be required, especially in relation to key stages of the life cycle, such as pregnancy, when choline intakes are critical to infant development.”
Choline is present in some plant products including baked beans, mushrooms, quinoa and peanuts, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and brussels sprouts, and roasted soya nuts.
However, milk, beef, and eggs are the prime sources of this nutrient.
While Derbyshire warned that vegans might not be getting enough of choline, the British Dietetic Association said plant-eaters could also get it in the required amount only if they “have a plan.”
“You absolutely can meet the requirements with a vegan or plant-based diet but you have to have a plan. Foods can be vegan but not provide the necessary nutrients,” explained Bahee Van de Bor, a spokeswoman for the British Dietetic Association.
“It’s likely that a healthy and varied vegetarian or vegan diet would provide some dietary choline,” the British Nutrition Foundation noted.
“It’s also important to make sure plant-based diets are well balanced to ensure enough of nutrients like iron, zinc calcium and vitamin B12 are consumed.
“Having said this, we know that there can be many health benefits of following a more plant-based diet, although this doesn’t necessarily mean that animal products have to be excluded completely.”
Recommended Video For You!
“Hidden Camera Catches What Waitress Does To Elderly Man’s Food. Now It’s Going Viral”
[rumble video_id=v3e366 domain_id=u7nb2]