Vegans and vegetarians could be missing out on an important nutrient that is crucial for brain health, an expert has warned.

Choline is important for memory, mood, muscle control and may even fend off mental decline in later life.

But the body does not produce enough in the liver to meet daily requirements and the best dietary sources are beef, eggs, dairy products, pork, chicken and salmon.

Writing in the journal BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, nutritional consultant Dr Emma Derbyshire, warned that many people already do not meet daily recommendations and the increasing rise of plant-based diets could make the problem worse.

“ Physiologically, choline is critical for a number of functions across the life cycle, with choline deficiency being linked to liver disease, offspring cognitive function and potential neurological disorders,” she said.

“The mounting evidence of choline’s importance makes it essential that it does not continue to be overlooked in the UK.

“This is now more important than ever given that accelerated food trends towards plant-based diets/ veganism could have further ramifications on choline intake/status.

“Government bodies and organisations should look to extended datasets to include this essential nutrient.”