Folic acid or, also known as vitamin B9, is primarily known to be suitable for intake by pregnant or nursing women. The truth is that it is a universal substance, suitable and necessary for every single person.
Vitamin B9 is a water-soluble vitamin that is involved in the synthesis of amino acids, which are components of proteins. Its content in the body is of great importance and its deficiency can even cause symptoms such as impaired cognitive abilities, weight loss, anemia, glossitis, etc.
Here are the main benefits of folic acid for the body:
- vitamin B9 is involved in the synthesis and reproduction of the cellular genetic material;
- together with vitamin B12, folic acid helps to transport oxygen in the body;
- vitamin B9 acts preventively against the development of congenital neurological diseases or cardiac malformations;
- the vitamin has a beneficial effect on memory processes in adults;
- folic acid regulates heart function and significantly reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases;
- the vitamin significantly alleviates the symptoms of menopause;
- folic acid has the property of controlling blood sugar levels – it reduces insulin resistance and significantly reduces complications in diagnosed diabetes;
- vitamin B9 has a beneficial effect on kidney problems, as its intake reduces high levels of homocysteine, which is the cause of them;
- folic acid successfully helps fight depression. Depressed people have been shown to have very low levels of folate in their blood. That's why antidepressant treatments include the acid to relieve symptoms.
So far it is clear that the content of folic acid in the body is essential. Here are the foods from which you can get folic acid naturally:
- almost all green vegetables like spinach, broccoli, lettuce, asparagus, cabbage and avocado;
- liver;
- legumes – beans, lentils, soybeans and chickpeas;
- fruit - mainly citrus fruit.
