Dietary Reference Intake (DRI)

Dietary reference intake describes a set of reference values for nutrient intakes that can be used for planning and assessing diets in people without health conditions. These reference values include the estimated average requirement, recommended dietary allowance, adequate intake, and the tolerable upper intake level.

Summary

National Academy of Medicine.[1][2] Dietary reference intake (DRI) is an umbrella term used to describe a set of reference values for nutrient intakes that can be used for planning and assessing diets in people without health conditions.[1][2] These include:

  • Estimated average requirement (EAR), which is the daily intake that is estimated to meet the known nutritional requirements of 50% (i.e. the average) of all people without health conditions. However, EAR values for specific nutrients can vary by age, sex, and pregnancy status. For more information, see the estimated average requirement page.

  • Recommended dietary allowance (RDA), which is the daily intake that is estimated to meet the known nutritional requirements of nearly all (97.5%) people without health conditions. However, RDA values for specific nutrients can vary by age, sex, and pregnancy status. For more information, see the recommended dietary allowance page.

  • Adequate intake (AI), which is the level of intake that can ensure nutritional adequacy in most people without health conditions. However, AI values for specific nutrients can vary by age, sex, and pregnancy status. An “adequate intake” value is established when there is insufficient evidence to develop a recommended dietary allowance. For more information, see the adequate intake page.

  • Tolerable upper intake level (UL), which is the highest daily nutrient intake level that is unlikely to increase the risk of an adverse effect in almost all people without health conditions.[3] However, UL values for specific nutrients can vary by age, sex, and pregnancy status. For more information, see the tolerable upper intake level page.

⚠️ Caution: Dietary reference intake values are sometimes misunderstood

The amounts stated in DRI tables indicate total daily intake of that specific nutrient from all sources. That includes foods, drinks, supplements, and medications combined.

Note that the phrase used to describe DRI can vary between countries. They are called dietary reference values (DRVs) in the EU and nutrient reference values (NRVs) in Australia and New Zealand. Despite the differences in the terminology, the application of the DRI/DRV/NRV framework is similar between countries.

The reference values EAR, RDA, AI, and UL for specific nutrients can vary between countries and can change as new evidence comes to light. For the food-based dietary guidelines across all countries in the United Nations, see here.

Sometimes, a reference value for a specific nutrient is dependent on age, sex, and pregnancy. However, on food packaging, the reference values stated are typically for non-pregnant adults ages 19 to 50.[4]

In the U.S., reference values that help plan nutritionally adequate diets for individuals — either RDA or AI values — have been developed for total energy intake,[5][6] macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and protein),[6] fatty acids,[6] cholesterol,[6] amino acids,[6] fiber,[7][6] and several micronutrients(vitamins and minerals).[8][9][10][11][12]

References

1.^Institute of Medicine (US) Subcommittee on Interpretation and Uses of Dietary Reference Intakes, Institute of Medicine (US) Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference IntakesDietary Reference Intakes: Applications in Dietary Planning.(2003)
2.^Institute of Medicine (US) Subcommittee on Interpretation and Uses of Dietary Reference Intakes, Institute of Medicine (US) Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference IntakesDRI Dietary Reference Intakes: Applications in Dietary Assessment.()
4.^Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Use of Dietary Reference Intakes in Nutrition LabelingDietary Reference Intakes: Guiding Principles for Nutrition Labeling and Fortification.()
5.^National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Food and Nutrition Board; Committee on the Dietary Reference Intakes for EnergyDietary Reference Intakes for Energy.()
6.^Trumbo P, Schlicker S, Yates AA, Poos M, Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine, The National AcademiesDietary reference intakes for energy, carbohydrate, fiber, fat, fatty acids, cholesterol, protein and amino acidsJ Am Diet Assoc.(2002 Nov)
7.^Institute of Medicine (US) Panel on the Definition of Dietary Fiber and the Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference IntakesDietary Reference Intakes Proposed Definition of Dietary Fiber.(2001)
9.^Institute of Medicine (US) Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes and its Panel on Folate, Other B Vitamins, and CholineDietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B 6, Folate, Vitamin B 12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline.()
10.^Institute of Medicine (US) Committee to Review Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin D and Calcium, A Catharine Ross, Christine L Taylor, Ann L Yaktine, Heather B Del ValleDietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D.()
11.^Institute of Medicine (US) Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference IntakesDietary Reference Intakes for Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Fluoride.()
12.^Institute of Medicine (US) Panel on Dietary Antioxidants and Related CompoundsDietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids.()