Spinach, dried beans, peas, fortified cereals, sunflower seeds, turnip greens, liver and asparagus all have one thing in common: they are rich in folic acid. Folic acid is a vitamin which is important for both women and babies, since it helps prevent birth defects. Folic acid is the synthetic equivalent of folate, which is essential for the production of new cells in the human body.
Lactating, pregnant women or those who are planning to have a baby in the near future should not be lacking in folate. There is a risk of the newborn baby to develop defects in the spinal cord if there is folic acid deficiency. In addition, folic acid lowers the risk of stroke, certain cancers and heart disease. It is also known to help alleviate depression, improve memory, mental agility and fertility.
Thus, if there is one essential vitamin that women should not be lacking, it is folic acid so that their own health and that of the baby’s will be well taken cared of.