What is the benefit of folic acid and PABA?
                                
                                
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                                    4 min read                                
                            
                                Over 70 countries worldwide mandate the fortification of grain products with folic acid, a synthetic form of vitamin B9, to help prevent birth defects. Yet, some confusion remains between this vital nutrient and para-aminobenzoic acid, or PABA, an older supplement often associated with similar health claims. Understanding what is the benefit of folic acid and PABA reveals they serve distinct purposes in the body, with stark differences in their essentiality and scientific backing.