Folic acid or commonly known as folate belongs to the Vitamin B group. Folate is naturally present in foods like green vegetables, fruits, peas, and dried beans or it can be synthetic. Synthetic folic acids are used as dietary supplements. The benefits of folic acid are it plays a vital role in the prevention of certain birth defects, and it can reduce the risk of hypertension or high blood pressure. Folate benefits pregnant women and it helps to prevent the development of cancer cells. There are abundant sources of folic acids in food such as spinach, broccoli, lettuce, okra, asparagus, banana, melons, lemons, beans, mushroom, yeast, and many more.
1. Folic Acid Reduces the Risk of Anemia and High Blood Pressure
Folic acid benefits are it can reduce the risk of anemia and high blood pressure especially in women. There is a study that shows the effectiveness of consuming folic acid in women. It significantly reduced the risk of having hypertension or high blood pressure. Low in folic acid or folic acid deficiency may lead to anemia in both children and adults. People with folic acid deficiency must eat foods that are high in folates like green leafy vegetables, fruits, and dried beans or take a folic acid supplement for them to increase the folic acid in the body.
Folate benefits the cells to resist changes in DNA structure and develop into cancer cells in the body. According to the examination results of medical records in Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston over 150,000 women ranging from 23 to 70 years old were subjected to over eight years of study. The examination found out that women who took the folic acid supplement had reduced the risk of developing hypertension.
2. Folic Acid for the pregnancy of Women
Folate Benefits are very important in fetal growth and development. It is also important in maternal health because it can reduce the risk of pregnancy-related complications like preeclampsia. Folic acid is needed for tissue growth and cellular division. Before or during pregnancy it is vital to take folic acid to prevent certain birth defects. There is a study that proves both food fortification programs and folic acid supplements before and during pregnancy can reduce the risk of neural tube defects that includes spina bifida and anencephaly. Folic acid benefits can also improve neurodevelopment and brain function in children. It can also protect against autism spectrum disorder in children.
3. Prevent Heart Disease
Heart disease is known as one of the deadliest heart condition. The benefits of folic acid can improve the normal functioning of the heart and reduce the risk of heart problems. Folate benefits play an important role in metabolism and homocysteine. Low in folate may lead to high homocysteine levels or also called hyperhomocysteinemia.
There is research that shows taking folic acid can lower the homocysteine levels and risk of developing heart problems. A review of 30 studies with almost 80,000 participants shows that consuming folic acid may lead to a 10% reduction of stroke and a 4% decline in overall heart disease risk.
4. It can lower the Risk of Depression
Depression is known as a mental disorder and must be given special attention especially nowadays. It can happen in both teenagers and adults. It is characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in doing things. One of the folic acid benefits is reduced depressive symptoms. People who are experiencing depression have very low levels of folate into the blood compared to those people without depression. The research found out that anti-depressant medication with folate supplements that includes methylfolate showed a great reduction in depressive symptoms compared to anti-depressant medication treatment alone.
5. Can Prevent Chronic Diseases
Diabetes and Kidney Disease can pose a great danger to the body because of many complications. Folic acid benefits can control blood sugar levels, reduce insulin resistance, and also enhance cardiovascular function for diabetic people. It can also reduce the occurrence of complications like neuropathy.
The condition hyperhomocysteinemia can lead to chronic kidney disease. Almost 80% of people with kidney failure have high homocysteine. Folate benefits can help lower homocysteine levels and reduce heart disease. Foods high in folic acid can prevent these two dreaded chronic diseases. Adding vegetables such as broccoli, lettuce, okra, asparagus, and fruits like lemon, melons, and bananas can reduce the risk of having these diseases.
