No, rice is not naturally high in folic acid. However, enriched white rice is a good source of folic acid because it is fortified with it.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
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Natural Folic Acid Content: Brown rice and unenriched white rice contain relatively low levels of folate (the natural form of folic acid).
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Enrichment Process: To increase nutritional value, many countries mandate or permit the enrichment of refined grains like white rice with folic acid.
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Folic Acid Levels in Enriched White Rice: One cooked cup of enriched white rice contains approximately 90 micrograms of folic acid. This is significantly higher than the folic acid content of brown rice.
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Why Folic Acid Enrichment is Important: Folic acid is a crucial B vitamin that plays a key role in cell growth and development. Adequate folic acid intake is particularly important during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects in the developing fetus.
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Comparison: While brown rice has other nutritional advantages (like higher fiber content), enriched white rice is a more significant source of folic acid.
In summary, while naturally occurring folate levels in rice are low, enriched white rice is a good source of folic acid due to the fortification process.
