Recommended daily intake of manganese
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Manganese Daily Intake Recommendations: Adequate Intake (AI) and Safe Levels
Manganese is an essential dietary mineral involved in many metabolic processes, including amino acid, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism. However, there is no specific deficiency syndrome described in humans, and the body can adapt to a wide range of manganese intakes by regulating absorption and excretion Products2013Products2014Haugen2019+1 MORE.
Due to insufficient evidence to set an average requirement or a population reference intake, most health authorities have established an Adequate Intake (AI) for manganese. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends an AI of 3 mg/day for adults, including pregnant and lactating women. For infants aged 7–11 months, the AI is 0.02–0.5 mg/day, and for children and adolescents, the AI is extrapolated from adult values based on body weight Products2013Products2014Haugen2019+1 MORE.
Other regions have similar or slightly different recommendations. In North America, the AI is set at 2.3 mg/day for adult men and 1.8 mg/day for adult women, while in Japan, the AI is higher at 4.0 mg/day for men and 3.5 mg/day for women, reflecting dietary differences .
Typical Dietary Manganese Intake in Populations
Studies from various countries show that average daily manganese intake for adults generally falls within the recommended range:
- In the EU, mean adult intake is around 3 mg/day Products2013Products2014Haugen2019+1 MORE.
- In Germany, the average intake is about 2.8 mg/day, which is within the recommended range of 2–5 mg/day .
- In Belgium, mean intakes are reported at 2.5–3.1 mg/day for adults, with higher intakes (up to 6.7 mg/day) observed in macrobiotic diets Stobbaerts1995Robberecht1994.
- In Japan, adult intakes range from 2.7 to 7.5 mg/day, with more recent studies showing averages of 4.9–5.1 mg/day, largely due to higher consumption of cereals and plant foods .
- In Mumbai, India, mean adult intake is about 2.2 mg/day, close to the lower bound of the recommended range .
Cereals, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beverages like tea are the main dietary sources of manganese Haugen2019Kippler2024Miyagawa2022.
Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) and Safety Considerations
While manganese is essential, excessive intake can be harmful, particularly due to its potential neurotoxicity. However, there is not enough data to set a precise Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for manganese. Instead, EFSA has established a "safe level of intake" at 8 mg/day for adults (including pregnant and lactating women), with lower safe levels for children and adolescents (2–7 mg/day depending on age) . This safe level is based on observed intakes among high consumers where no adverse effects have been reported.
Reports of manganese toxicity in humans are mainly linked to inhalation in occupational settings, but very high oral intakes, especially from supplements or contaminated water, can also cause neurological effects Haugen2019Turck2023Sachse2019. The body absorbs less than 10% of ingested manganese, and most is excreted via bile Haugen2019Kippler2024.
Conclusion
The recommended daily intake of manganese for adults is generally set at 3 mg/day in Europe, with similar values in other regions, though Japan recommends slightly higher intakes. Most people consuming a varied diet meet these recommendations, and deficiency is not a public health concern. However, excessive intake, particularly from supplements or contaminated water, should be avoided, with a safe upper level for adults set at 8 mg/day. Regular dietary sources such as cereals, fruits, and vegetables are sufficient to meet daily needs for most individuals Products2013Products2014Haugen2019+5 MORE.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Daily intake of manganese by the adult population of Mumbai.
The daily manganese intake of the adult population of Mumbai ranges from 0.67 to 4.99 mg, with food being the predominant source, and is closer to the lower bound of the recommended limit of 2-5 mg.
Daily dietary intake of manganese by several population groups in Belgium: preliminary reports.
Belgian population groups have manganese intake within recommended daily allowances, except for macrobiotics, with vegetarians and omnivorous adults having similar intake levels.
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