Spring is here and local farmers markets are overflowing with fava beans. Today, I bought 2 lbs. of shelled beans, which I am using tomorrow in a Jamie Oliver recipe.
I know that fava beans are high in protein and fiber, but I wanted to know what other good nutrients they bring to a body. On mothernature.com, I found out that fava beans have good amounts of folic acid, a form of vitamin B that supports the building blocks of DNA and — more importantly for those of us who are already alive — RNA.
I happened on the following paragraph, which made me laugh and shake my head. It seems that there is simply NO escape from the intrusiveness and ineffectiveness of federal government. Here’s how the FDA is replacing your good judgement (or is that compensating for your incredible stupidity):
In 1996, the FDA began to require that all enriched flour, rice, pasta, cornmeal, and other grain products contain 140 mcg of folic acid per 100 grams. Among people who do not take vitamin supplements, this amount of food fortification has been associated with increased folic acid levels in the blood and decreased blood levels of homocysteine. Nevertheless, evidence is mounting that the FDA-mandated level of folic acid fortification in food is inadequate to fully prevent neural tube defects. Until fortification rates are quadrupled, women who can possibly become pregnant are advised to take a folic acid supplement of 400 mcg per day.
There you have it. The massively expensive FDA, with all its tax-eating resources, isn’t even at the cutting edge of awareness regarding the value of high levels of folic acid in the body.
Perhaps you should start asking yourself why the FDA does what it does, who it serves, and why you should pay any attention to its recommendations and regulations.