Why are Adequate Intake values established?

Adequate Intake (AI) values are established primarily to provide a benchmark for nutrient intake when there is insufficient evidence to establish a recommended dietary allowance (RDA). They serve as a guideline for adequate nutrient consumption for populations where definitive research may be lacking. The intent behind setting AI values is to ensure that individuals can achieve adequate nutritional intake to maintain health, even when scientific consensus or extensive studies do not yet exist to quantify precise requirements.

This is particularly important in scenarios where nutrients' effects and requirements have not been thoroughly researched or cannot be effectively measured, allowing dietary recommendations to continue to support health and prevent deficiencies in the absence of concrete data. In this context, the establishment of AI values plays a critical role in guiding dietary practices until more specific data becomes available.