Behind the Courtesan(46)

Folic acid, also known as folate, is a vitamin necessary for proper cell growth and embryo development. Folate deficiency also has been associated with placental separation during pregnancy, pregnancy-induced hypertension and low blood supply to the placenta. These effects may in part be responsible for the increased risk of miscarriage.

In 1998, the FDA began requiring food manufacturers to fortify certain grain products with folic acid. Many breakfast cereals, rice, pasta and most breads are now an excellent source of the vitamin, as are beans, leafy green vegetables and citrus fruits.

But in the Regency era, can you imagine how many women would have suffered from low or no folate and endured miscarriages and delivered babies with birth defects? It’s not like the diets of the rich and famous in London would have been loaded with healthy greens. Folate deficiency can also affect men and regularly does even in the 21st century.

While I can predict a very happy future for Blake and Sophia (with a diet change and greens from their very own garden), I also like to think they would have been blessed with a huge family and lived happily ever after.

Bronwyn.





About the Author

Bronwyn’s love of reading all things romantic got her into trouble at a very young age. Starting with Mills & Boon books “borrowed” from her mum and then progressing to meaty fantasies and sweeping sagas. It’s only fair that romance pays her back with unique ideas for her own novels.

From her tree house in the Adelaide Hills she writes deep, emotional historical romance with independent heroines searching for Prince Charming and heroes worthy of the tag. Her life is made complete by the laughter of her young children, the meows of two white, fluffy cats and a man who thinks chivalry is what happens after you eat bad chicken.