Final answer:
The only nutrient whose RDA is higher in women than men is iron, mainly due to menstruation, pregnancy, and overall health factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The only nutrient for which the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is higher for women than for men is iron. This disparity is due to the fact that premenopausal women lose blood during menstruation, which can lead to iron deficiency. Therefore, the RDA for iron for women is set higher to compensate for this loss and to prevent conditions such as iron-deficiency anemia.
It's important to note that the RDA is established to meet the needs of 97.5% of the population. While men's RDA for iron is lower, they generally require more of certain other vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins C and K, thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin. In contrast, besides iron, women may also need extra calcium and folate, especially during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The latter, with a recommendation of at least 400 µg/day of folate, is vital for preventing birth defects.