Uncovering the Health Benefits of Yeast: What Experts Say

Postgraduate Degree in Public and Family Health/Bachelor Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics · 5 years of experience · Brazil

Benefits

• Nutritional yeast has antioxidant properties. The food contains glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent chronic diseases and protect the body from oxidative stress.
• Nutritional yeast can help control cholesterol and glucose blood levels. The yeast helps reduce cholesterol absorption and helps control blood glucose levels throughout the day.
• Yeast may help strengthen our immune system. It boosts the immune system not only through the action of beta-glucan, but also through the presence of the B-complex vitamins and important minerals such as zinc and selenium, which play a role in the response of immune system.
• Nutritional yeas are a healthy alternative for vegan food. Yeasts are microorganisms from the kingdom of fungi as mushrooms and help to enrich the vitamins and proteins in the vegan diet.

Quantity Recommendation

• It is safe to eat nutritional yeast without excesses. The intake recommendation for yeast is approximately 20 grams throughout the day. It can be used in salads, soups, pasta and many other recipes. To avoid gastrointestinal problems, it is important to keep the consumption of yeast in controlled portions size.

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Master of Science (M.S.) in Nutrition · 15 years of experience · USA

Benefits

• Brewer's yeast and nutritional yeast are the two more commonly consumed yeast products on the market. Depending on how it is grown, nutritional yeast can help prevent or correct a vitamin B12 deficiency in those on strict vegan or vegetarian diets. Nutritional yeast can be a great source of B vitamins when the yeast is grown on sugar beets rather than grains. Nutritional yeast is also commonly fortified with additional B12. The entire vitamin B-complex is essential to health and must be obtained from the diet or a supplement. Nutritional yeast also contains moderate amounts of zinc and selenium, two additional nutrients that can be deficient in those consuming strict vegan or vegetarian diets.

Quantity Recommendation

• Nutritional yeast has a slightly nutty and cheesy flavor while brewer's yeast, a by-product of beer making, is bitter and unpalatable. A one to two tablespoon serving daily and throughout the week is a practical amount to consume, and would be particularly useful for individuals on strict vegan or vegetarian diets. The nutrient profiles across yeast products can vary greatly so be sure to read nutrition facts labels.

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