Natural Folate in Tomatoes
Folate is an essential B vitamin. It can be found in tomatoes, and according to the US Department of Agriculture red Roma tomatoes contain 10 µg (micro grams) per 100 grams of folate. Our 2024 data showed some of our varieties tested with 37 µg per 100 grams of folate. We are interested to find whether our orange tomatoes with 3 to 4 times higher levels of folate, together with either very high bioavailable lycopene or beta-carotene, could be of greater benefit for human health, especially in the developing world.
Why we need folate
Folate is important in cell growth and reproduction. Folate deficiency can result in a type of anaemia called ‘megaloblastic anaemia’ which is a blood disorder characterised by the presence of enlarged immature and dysfunctional red blood cells (megablasts).
Studies from the 1980s and 1990s showed that folic acid can help ensure healthy development of babies in early pregnancy. In 1999 Berry et al conclusively found that a daily dose of 400 µg of folic acid alone resulted in a reduction in neural tube defect risk (first occurrence) similar to that reported in earlier studies, when taken at least one month before conception and for 12 weeks after conceiving.¹
Currently, the United States and other western countries (including New Zealand) mandate fortification of grain products with synthetic folic acid to help their populations reach the recommended dietary allowance. Folic acid refers to pteroylmonoglutamic acid and is the synthetic (‘man made’) form of folate. Concerns have arisen about the effects of chronic exposure of western populations to synthetic folic acid (7, 13, 14). Such concerns are based primarily on the ability of folic acid, at high levels of intake, to bypass the usual physiological control of folate distribution and metabolism, causing entry of unreduced folic acid into the systemic circulation.²
¹ Health New Zealand website: https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/for-the-health-sector/health-sector-guidance/folate-and-folic-acid/
² https://www.pnas.org/content/104/10/4218
