Folic Acid

May Help Support Healthy DNA, Genetic Material and Cell Function*

What Are the Benefits of Folate (B9)?

Folate is a B-vitamin that is naturally present in many foods. Your body needs folate to make DNA and other genetic material. Your body also needs folate for your cells to divide. A form of folate, called folic acid, is used in fortified foods and most dietary supplements.

What Foods Provide Folate (B9)?

Folate is naturally present in many foods, and folic acid is added to some foods. You can get recommended amounts by eating a variety of foods, including the following.

Folate is naturally present in:

• Beef liver
• Vegetables (especially asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach and mustard greens)
• Fruits and fruit juices (especially oranges and orange juice)
• Nuts, beans, and peas (such as peanuts, black-eyed peas, and kidney beans)

Folic acid is added to the following foods:

• Supplements
• Enriched bread, flour, cornmeal, pasta, and rice
• Fortified breakfast cereals
• Fortified corn masa flour (used to make corn tortillas and tamales, for example)

Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services