What folate is
Folate is an essential B vitamin, also known as vitamin B9. The natural form in food is called folate, while folic acid is the stable synthetic form added to supplements and fortified foods such as flour and cereals. Good food sources include leafy greens, beans, and citrus. The two forms behave slightly differently in the body.
How folate works
Folate is central to one-carbon metabolism, a set of reactions the body uses to build and repair DNA, make red blood cells, and process the amino acid homocysteine. Because DNA building matters most when cells are dividing rapidly, folate is especially important in early pregnancy, when a baby's spine and brain are forming.
What the human research shows
The standout evidence is about pregnancy. Strong research, including national fortification programmes, shows that adequate folic acid around conception sharply lowers the risk of neural tube differences such as spina bifida. The effect is large enough that many countries now add folic acid to staple foods by law.
Folate also clearly corrects a shortfall, which can cause a specific anaemia. Claims beyond these, such as broad effects on heart disease or mood, are weaker and less consistent. We grade the evidence as high for its established roles. The main caution is that high folic acid can hide a B12 shortfall, which is why the two are linked.
What we still do not know
- Whether the natural methylfolate form offers any real advantage over folic acid.
- Whether extra folate helps mood or heart health in people who are not deficient.
- The long-term effects of high folic acid intake from heavy fortification.
How people take folate
A varied diet rich in greens and beans supplies plenty of folate for most people. The clear exception is pregnancy planning, where 400 mcg of folic acid a day, ideally before conception, is widely advised. Keep supplement folic acid at or below 1,000 mcg per day unless your healthcare provider recommends more, and check your B12 alongside it.