Dietary enhancement of coffee with folic acid: A nutritional approach.

Folic acid deficiency is a critical public health concern that affects millions worldwide, particularly women of reproductive age, infants and others. The deficiency causes severe health consequences such as neural tube defects, homocysteine imbalance and megaloblastic anemia, often associated with cobalamin deficiency. Because of coffee's global popularity, it offers a promising platform for delivering folic acid. Adding folic acid to coffee could boost its nutritional value and provide synergistic health benefits, including helping to counteract coffee-related increases in homocysteine levels. However, the concept of folic acid-enriched coffee is relatively new and underexplored, necessitating further research to evaluate its efficacy, stability, and consumer acceptance. This review examines the potential of coffee as an innovative carrier for folic acid fortification, detailing the anticipated health benefits. It also discusses challenges in the fortification process, explores various encapsulation techniques, and considers potential health concerns related to excessive folic acid intake.