Folic acid is to be added to flour: What exactly is it and why is it important?

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Any tissues, organs or processes that rely on our body’s ability to generate new cells, like our producing and maintaining healthy blood, the lining of our mouth and gut, our immune system and when we’re growing a baby, use up a lot of folate and require folate to work effectively.” Where do we normally get folic acid from and why might we need more? “These can include weakness, pins and needles, mouth ulcers, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and weight loss, and it can also cause heart palpitations and headaches.” Why is folic acid to important for growing babies? “Women need a lot of extra folic acid during pregnancy because the growing baby is using it up as their cells divide and the baby grows.” Bradley explains: “Folic acid helps to prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects, including spina bifida. If you are at an increased risk of your pregnancy being affected by neural tube defects, consult your doctor, who will likely advise you to take a higher dose of folic acid.” Medlin, who welcomes the move to fortify flour with folic acid, adds: “Many women don’t know they’re pregnant when the neural tube closes at four weeks of gestation, so they won’t be supplementing or worrying about their diet.” She acknowledges not everyone eats many flour-based foods though: “Unfortunately, due to the demonisation of carbs and therefore foods containing flour by wellness influencers, there will still be many women who are avoiding flour and therefore won’t benefit from the fortification.” So, it’s a good idea to be aware of why a balanced diet is important, and to speak to your GP if you are concerned about any possible symptoms or nutritional deficiencies, as well as any concerns around pregnancy nutrition.