Nutritional yeast is distinct from the yeast used to bake bread. It is a fungi, but deactivated and full of vitamins and minerals. Nutritional yeast has a yellow tinge and is available in flaked or granular forms. Add it to smoothies, popcorn, homemade chips or casseroles. Buy it packaged or in bulk at health food stores to experience the positive effects of this nutritional supplement.
Origins
Nutritional yeast is grown on molasses or sugar cane, harvested, pasteurized and packaged. Some types of nutritional yeast come fortified with extra vitamins. It is vegan and free of Candida albicans, meaning that even if you are sensitive to baking or brewer's yeast, you will not suffer effects from nutritional yeast.
Vitamins and Minerals
Nutritional yeast has positive nutritional effects. It is a source of vitamin B-12, a nutrient found primarily in animal-based foods. One of the eight B vitamins, B12 helps with the metabolism of food to give you energy, promote healthy red blood cells and regulate nerve system function. Eating adequate amounts of B-12 prevents the effects of deficiency, which include fatigue, diarrhea, tingling and breathing troubles. Nutritional yeast is also a source of other B vitamins. Eating nutritional yeast offers you the benefits of potassium, which helps with muscle contraction, and selenium, which acts as an antioxidant, helping to scrub your system of disease-causing free radicals. Choosing fortified nutritional yeast also provides you the positive effects of iron, which helps with energy by helping red blood cells distribute oxygen throughout your body.
Fiber
Nutritional yeast contains 4 g of fiber per 2 tbsp. serving. Fiber has positive effects on your cholesterol levels, which can help prevent heart disease. In addition, fiber contributes to reduced incidences of constipation and a healthy colon. A type of fiber in nutritional yeast -- called beta-1,3 glucan -- also positively affects immunity.
Protein
Nutritional yeast contains all the essential amino acids your body cannot produce on its own, making it a complete protein. Protein effects muscle retention and growth. Nutritional yeast is especially valuable for vegans who are sometimes deficient in this nutrient.
References
- "Santa Monica Daily Press"; "Singing the Praises of Nutritional Yeast"; Elizabeth Brown; April 25, 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin B-12
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Selenium
- Sundance Natural Foods; "Yeast Meets West"; 1995
- "Proceedings of the Nutrition Society"; "Health Effects of Vegetarian and Vegan Diets"; T.J. Key et al; February 2006
Member Comments