Nutritional Yeast: Benefits, Nutrition Facts & Dangers

This delicious cooking ingredient is loaded with essential nutrients and gut-friendly fiber. It can support your immune system and rev up your energy, but it’s not for everyone. Read on to learn the pros and cons of nutritional yeast, how to choose the right product, and how to get the most out of it. Nutritional yeast, also known as nooch or “hippie dust,” is a single-cell fungus with incredible nutritional value. It’s made from Saccharomyces cerevisiae , a type of yeast used in brewing and baking [ 1 ]. Manufacturers grow S. cerevisiae , deactivate it using heat, and dry it to get the final product. They can select and culture specific strains of yeast for desired nutritional value and properties [ 2 ]. Nutritional yeast is a popular cooking ingredient, especially in vegan dishes as a cheese substitute. People also use it to boost their immunity, energy levels, and intake of essential nutrients [ 3 ]. Nutritional and brewer’s yeast are close relatives: they both contain S. cerevisiae , but they slightly differ in the production process, nutritional value, and uses. Brewer’s yeast is a byproduct of the beer brewing industry, usually grown on hops or grains. People use its dried and deactivated form as a nutritional supplement. Depending on the growth medium, brewer’s yeast may contain gluten [ 4 ]. The food industry grows nutritional yeast for its dietary uses only. The growth medium is glucose or molasses, which makes the final product gluten-free [ 2 ]. Unlike nutritional yeast, brewer’s yeast is naturally rich in chromium , which can help lower blood sugar levels. As such, brewer’s yeast might be a better option for people with diabetes. Nutritional yeast is usually fortified with vitamin B1 2 and thus more suitable for vegans, who can be at […]

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