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High doses at or above 4 mg per day did not have adverse effects, which contrasts with prior studies that found long-term risks associated with high doses of folic acid.

Folic acid is particularly important in early pregnancy, aiding proper development of the baby's brain, skull and spinal cord.

In addition, the NHS recommends women who are trying for a baby take folic acid supplements for approximately three months before getting pregnant, and for at least 12 weeks after becoming pregnant.

Folic acid is to be added to non-wholemeal wheat flour in the UK to help prevent birth defects.

Adding folic acid to flour could prevent around 200 cases of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, every year, and improve the health of pregnant women, says the government, which is giving manufacturers until the end of 2026 to conform to the new legal requirement.