What is the crucial function of folic acid (folate) found in endive during pregnancy?
Answer
It supports the synthesis of red blood cells and is essential for fetal neural tube development.
Leafy greens like endive are considered vital sources of nutrients for expectant mothers, primarily due to their concentration of folic acid, also known as folate. Adequate folic acid intake during the critical early stages of pregnancy is absolutely crucial. This nutrient plays a dual role: supporting the proper synthesis and production of new red blood cells in the mother, and most importantly, being essential for the complete and correct development of the fetal neural tube, which helps prevent severe congenital disabilities related to the brain and spine.
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