Requirements for folate increase by 50 % during pregnancy, Folate plays a vital role in the production of red blood cells and helps the fetus neural tube to develop into her brain and the spinal cord. Pregnant women are advised to increase folate in their diet as folate is important in that it helps to prevent neural tube and other birth defects. Tube defects are serious birth defects of the spinal cord such as spina bifida and the brain such as anencephaly.
