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According to a study conducted by the experts at McGill University in Canada, consumption of common food having folic acid may prevent the rate of congenital heart defect among infants. Folic acid or vitamin B is an essential nutrient, which can found in fortified grains, spinach, lentils, asparagus, broccoli, peas, corn, and oranges. Doctors often recommend pregnant women to take folic acid supplements for reducing the risk of neural tube defects.
The researchers found out that consumption of folic acid has succeeded in restricting the rates of congenital heart defects among infants born in Canada. The researchers compared the rates of severe congenital heart defects before and after the introduction of folic acid in grains products of Canada. The study found out the rate was higher when the grains products were not fortified with folic acid while the rate of heart defects diminished drastically with the inclusion of folic acid in food products.
The experts at McGill University stated that natural sources of folic acid like grains, fruits and vegetable may not be able to provide an adequate amount of vitamin B. Therefore, it is necessary for pregnant women to take folic acid supplements along with folic acid-enriched meal. The findings of the study were published in British Medical Journal.
