Choline is a vitamin-like essential nutrient, important throughout lifespan. Therefore choline-salts are added to infant formula, supplements and functional foods. However, if choline is present in a natural form, e.g. bound to phospholipids, it may be more efficiently absorbed. The study aim was to evaluate if the choline uptake is improved after consumption of an egg yolk phospholipid drink, containing 3 g of phospholipid bound choline, compared to a control drink with 3 g of choline bound to a salt. We performed a randomized, double blind, cross-over trial with 18 participants. Plasma choline, betaine and dimethylglycine concentrations were determined before and up-to 6 hours after consumption of the drinks. The plasma choline response, as determined by the incremental area under the curve, was 4-times higher after consumption of the test drink compared with the control drink (P<0.001). Similar outcomes were also observed for choline’s main metabolites, betaine (P<0.001) and dimethylglycine (P=0.01). Consumption of natural choline from egg yolk phospholipids improved choline absorption compared to consumption of chemically produced choline bitartrate. This information might be relevant for the food industry, instead of adding choline-salts, adding choline from egg yolk phospholipids can improve choline uptake and positively impact health.
HND-008: Phospholipid bound choline is better absorbed than choline salt: a randomized trial in adults
