What is the difference between folate and folic acid?

Both folate and folic acids are nutrients and dietary supplements. They are both B vitamins. Folate is a form of vitamin B naturally occurring in food, while folic acid is the synthetic form of this vitamin. In the human body, the metabolism of folic acid requires the action of an extra enzyme in the liver, whereas folate enters the metabolism cycle faster.

Higher consumption of folic acid through supplements may lead to cancer, whereas there is no such health concern associated with the use of folate through food. Folate is found in spinach, broccoli, bananas, cereals, asparagus, and mushrooms.