15 Healthy Foods That Are High in Folate (Folic Acid)

Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is a water-soluble vitamin that has many important functions in your body.

In particular, it supports healthy cell division and promotes proper fetal growth and development to reduce the risk of birth defects (1Trusted Source).

Vitamin B9 is found naturally in many foods, as well as in the form of folic acid in fortified foods.

It’s recommended that healthy adults get at least 400 micrograms (mcg) of folate per day to prevent a deficiency (2).

Here are 15 healthy foods that are high in folate or folic acid.

1. Legumes

Legumes are the fruit or seed of any plant in the Fabaceae family, including:

• beans
• peas
• lentils

Although the exact amount of folate in legumes can vary, they’re an excellent source of folate.

For example, one cup (177 grams) of cooked kidney beans contains 131 mcg of folate, or about 33% of the DV (3Trusted Source).

Meanwhile, one cup (198 grams) of cooked lentils contains 358 mcg of folate, which is 90% of the DV (4Trusted Source).

Legumes are also a great source of protein, fiber, and antioxidants, as well as important micronutrients such as potassium, magnesium, and iron (5Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Legumes are rich in folate and many other nutrients. One cup (198 grams) of cooked lentils contains 90% of the DV, while one cup (177 grams) of cooked kidney beans contains about 33% of the DV.

2. Asparagus

Asparagus contains a concentrated amount of many vitamins and minerals, including folate.

In fact, a half-cup (90-gram) serving of cooked asparagus contains about 134 mcg of folate, or 34% of the DV (6Trusted Source).

Asparagus is also rich in antioxidants and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties (7Trusted Source).

What’s more, it’s an excellent source of heart-healthy fiber, knocking out up to 6% of your daily fiber needs in just one serving (6Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Asparagus is high in fiber and contains a good amount of folate, with about 34% of the DV per half-cup serving.

3. Eggs

Adding eggs to your diet is a great way to boost your intake of several essential nutrients, including folate.

Just one large egg packs in 22 mcg of folate, or approximately 6% of the DV (8Trusted Source).

Including even just a few servings of eggs in your diet each week is an easy way to boost your folate intake and help meet your needs.

Eggs are also loaded with protein, selenium, riboflavin, and vitamin B12 (8Trusted Source).

Furthermore, they’re high in lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants that may help reduce the risk of eye disorders like macular degeneration (9Trusted Source, 10Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Eggs are a good source of folate, with about 6% of the DV in just one large egg.

4. Leafy Greens

Leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale, and arugula are low in calories yet bursting with many key vitamins and minerals, including folate.

One cup (30 grams) of raw spinach provides 58.2 mcg, or 15% of the DV (11Trusted Source).

Leafy greens are also high in fiber and vitamins K and A. They’ve been associated with a host of health benefits.

Studies show that eating more cruciferous vegetables, such as leafy greens, may be associated with reduced inflammation, a lower risk of cancer, and increased weight loss (12Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Leafy green vegetables are high in many nutrients, including folate. One cup (30 grams) of raw spinach contains about 15% of the DV.

5. Beets

In addition to providing a burst of color to main dishes and desserts alike, beets are rich in many important nutrients.

They contain much of the manganese, potassium, and vitamin C that you need over the course of a day.

They’re also a great source of folate, with a single cup (136 grams) of raw beets containing 148 mcg of folate, or about 37% of the DV (15Trusted Source).

Besides their micronutrient content, beets are high in nitrates, a type of plant compound that’s been associated with many health benefits.

One small study showed that drinking beetroot juice temporarily lowered systolic blood pressure by 4–5 mmHg in healthy adults (16Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Beets are high in nitrates and folate. One cup (136 grams) of raw beets contains 37% of the DV for folate.

6. Citrus Fruits

Besides being delicious and full of flavor, citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and limes are rich in folate.

Just one large orange contains 55 mcg of folate, or about 14% of the DV (17Trusted Source).

Citrus fruits are also packed with vitamin C, an essential micronutrient that can help to boost immunity and aid in disease prevention (18Trusted Source).

In fact, observational studies have found that a high intake of citrus fruits may be associated with a lower risk of breast, stomach, and pancreatic cancer (19Trusted Source, 20Trusted Source, 21Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Citrus fruits are high in vitamin C and folate. One large orange contains about 14% of the DV.

7. Brussels sprouts

This nutritious vegetable belongs to the cruciferous family of vegetables and is closely related to other greens like kale, broccoli, cabbage, and kohlrabi.

Brussels sprouts are brimming with many vitamins and minerals and especially high in folate.

A half-cup (78-gram) serving of cooked Brussels sprouts can supply 47 mcg of folate, or 12% of the DV (22Trusted Source).

They’re also a great source of kaempferol, an antioxidant associated with numerous health benefits.

Animal studies show that kaempferol can help to reduce inflammation and prevent oxidative damage to cells (23Trusted Source, 24Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Brussels sprouts contain a good number of antioxidants and micronutrients. A half cup (78 grams) of cooked Brussels sprouts provides about 12% of the DV for folate.

8. Broccoli

Well-known for its multitude of health-promoting properties, adding broccoli to your diet can provide an array of essential vitamins and minerals.

When it comes to folate, one cup (91 grams) of raw broccoli contains around 57 mcg of folate, or about 14% of the DV (25Trusted Source).

Cooked broccoli contains even more folate, with each half-cup (78-gram) serving providing 84 mcg, or 21% of the DV (26Trusted Source).

Broccoli is also high in manganese and vitamins C, K, and A.

It also contains a wide variety of beneficial plant compounds, including sulforaphane, which has been studied extensively for its powerful anti-cancer properties (27Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Broccoli, especially when cooked, is rich in folate. One cup (91 grams) of raw broccoli provides 14% of the DV, while one-half cup (78 grams) of cooked broccoli can supply 21% of your daily needs.

9. Nuts and seeds

There are plenty of reasons to consider upping your intake of nuts and seeds.

In addition to containing a hearty dose of protein, they’re rich in fiber and many of the vitamins and minerals that your body needs.

Incorporating more nuts and seeds into your diet can also help you meet your daily folate needs.

The amount of folate in various types of nuts and seeds can vary slightly.

One ounce (28 grams) of walnuts contains about 28 mcg of folate, or around 7% of the DV, while the same serving of flaxseeds contains about 24 mcg of folate, or 6% of the DV (28Trusted Source, 29Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Nuts and seeds supply a good amount of folate in each serving. One ounce (28 grams) of almonds and flaxseed provides 7% and 6% of the DV, respectively.

10. Beef liver

Beef liver is one of the most concentrated sources of folate available.

A 3-ounce (85-gram) serving of cooked beef liver packs 212 mcg of folate, or about 54% of the DV (30Trusted Source).

In addition to folate, a single serving of beef liver can meet and exceed your daily requirements for vitamin A, vitamin B12, and copper (30Trusted Source).

It’s also loaded with protein, providing a whopping 24 grams per 3-ounce (85-gram) serving.

Protein is necessary for tissue repair and the production of important enzymes and hormones.

SUMMARY

Beef liver is high in protein and folate, with about 54% of the DV of folate in a single 3-ounce (85-gram) serving.

11. Wheat germ

Wheat germ is the embryo of the wheat kernel.

Although it’s often removed during the milling process, it supplies a highly concentrated number of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Just one ounce (28 grams) of wheat germ provides 78.7 mcg of folate, which equals about 20% of your daily folate needs (31Trusted Source).

It also contains a good chunk of fiber, providing up to 16% of the fiber you need per day in a single ounce (28 grams) (31Trusted Source).

Fiber moves slowly through the GI tract, adding bulk to your stool to help promote regularity, prevent constipation, and keep blood sugar levels steady (32Trusted Source, 33Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Wheat germ is high in fiber, antioxidants, and micronutrients. One ounce (28 grams) of wheat germ contains about 20% of the DV for folate.

12. Papaya

Papaya is a nutrient-dense tropical fruit native to southern Mexico and Central America.

Besides being delicious and full of flavor, papaya is jam-packed with folate.

One cup (140 grams) of raw papaya contains 53 mcg of folate, which is equal to about 13% of the DV (34Trusted Source).

Additionally, papaya is high in vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants like carotenoids (34Trusted Source).

Pregnant women should consider avoiding eating unripe papaya.

Researchers speculate that eating high amounts on unripe papaya might cause early contractions in pregnant women, but the evidence is weak (35Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Papaya is rich in antioxidants and folate. One cup (140 grams) of raw papaya provides approximately 13% of the DV for folate.

13. Bananas

Rich in a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, bananas are a nutritional powerhouse.

They’re especially high in folate and can easily help you to meet your daily needs when paired with a few other folate-rich foods.

A medium banana can supply 23.6 mcg of folate, or 6% of the DV (36Trusted Source).

Bananas are high in other nutrients as well, including potassium, vitamin B6, and manganese (36Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Bananas contain a good amount of folate. One medium banana contains about 6% of the DV.

14. Avocado

Avocados are incredibly popular due to their creamy texture and buttery flavor.

In addition to their unique taste, avocados are an excellent source of many important nutrients, including folate.

One-half of a raw avocado contains 82 mcg of folate, or about 21% of what you need for the entire day (37Trusted Source).

Plus, avocados are rich in potassium and vitamins K, C, and B6 (37Trusted Source).

They’re also high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, which may protect against heart disease (38Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Avocados are high in heart-healthy fats and folate, with one-half of a raw avocado providing about 21% of the DV for folate.

15. Fortified grains

Many types of grains, such as bread and pasta, have been fortified to boost their folic acid content.

The amounts can vary between different products, but one cup (140 grams) of cooked spaghetti supplies approximately 102 mcg of folic acid, or 25% of the DV (39Trusted Source).

Interestingly, some studies have demonstrated that the folic acid in fortified foods may be more easily absorbed than the folate found naturally in foods.

For example, one study concluded that the folate in foods such as fruits and vegetables is only about 78% as bioavailable as the folic acid in fortified foods (40Trusted Source).

Conversely, other research suggests that the specific enzyme the body uses to break down folic acid in fortified foods is not as efficient, which can result in a buildup of unmetabolized folic acid (41Trusted Source).

A well-balanced diet that’s rich in natural sources of folate with moderate number of fortified foods can ensure you’re meeting your needs, all while minimizing potential health concerns.

SUMMARY

Fortified grains contain added amounts of folic acid. One cup (140 grams) of cooked spaghetti contains about 26% of the DV.

The bottom line

Folate is an important micronutrient found in abundance throughout your diet.

Eating a variety of healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, as well as fortified foods, is an easy way to increase your folate intake.

Not only are these foods rich in folate, but they’re also high in other key nutrients that can improve other aspects of your health.