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.
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