What is nutritional yeast? Nutritional yeast is a superfood that provides the body with significant nutrients. There are so many health benefits of nutritional yeast that if I mention all of them, it may turn out in a book. Nutritional yeast has a slightly cheesy and nutty flavor that adds aroma to the food you are eating. Therefore, including nutritional yeast in your diet is a sure-shot way to benefit your body. To be respectful of your time, I have come up with six health benefits of nutritional yeast.
Nutritional Yeast As A Super Food
Nutritional yeast is made from a single-celled organism, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. They are grown on molasses. Nutritional yeast is then harvested, washed, and dried with heat to kill or deactivate it. Because it’s inactive, it doesn’t froth or grows like baking yeast. Don’t worry; no animals are harmed in this process since yeast are members of the fungi family, like mushrooms and not animals.
Health Benefits Of Nutritional Yeast
1. Nutritional Yeast Is A Good Supplement
Nutritional yeast is dairy-free and usually gluten-free. As a result, it can be a useful supplement for people with food allergies or sensitivities and those on restricted diets. It is also low in fat and contains no sugar or soy.
2. Nutritional Yeast Is A Great Protein Source
Most plant protein sources are incomplete proteins; that is, they don’t contain all nine essential amino acids that animal proteins do. But nutritional yeast is a complete protein with an impressive 10 grams of protein per serving.
You would have to consume one large egg or over a cup of whole milk to get the same amount elsewhere. That means you’ll not only feel satisfied after that bowl of cheese-free macaroni, but it will also help maintain a healthy muscle tone.
3. Nutritional Yeast Aids In A Healthy Pregnancy
Nutritional yeast contains folic acid, a type of B vitamin that helps you produce and maintain cells. It also keeps the colon healthy and regulates your cholesterol levels, potentially reduces your risk of stroke. Since nutritional yeast is an excellent source of folic acid, it can benefit you during the pregnancy.
Pregnant women need 400-800 micrograms of folate daily. One tablespoon of nutritional yeast contains 1059 grams of folate, so one tablespoon of cheesy yeast meets 100 percent of your daily needs.
4. Nutritional Yeast Is Packed With Minerals
Nutritional yeast is a good source of several minerals that contribute to healthy blood sugar, including magnesium and zinc. Nutritional yeast contains 24 milligrams of magnesium which is decent for such a small serving, but zinc is a real mineral star found in nutritional yeast. It is significant for your blood sugar levels, immune system, and weight management.
5. Nutritional Yeast Has Fiber
With four grams per serving, nutritional yeast doesn’t skimp on the dietary fiber. In addition to helping you feel full, dietary fiber also promotes digestive health. It is also low in calories. Therefore, eating nutritional yeast prevents weight gain too. The healthy probiotics in nutritional yeast have shown positive effects on diarrheic patients.
6. Nutritional Yeast Is A Good B Complex Vitamins Source
Nutritional yeast is an excellent source of vitamin B1, B2, B3, and B6. Vitamin B1 lowers your stress level and boosts your energy, while vitamin B2 and B3 are good for skin, digestion, hair, and nails. Vitamin B6 is essential for mitochondria to make energy.
Using Nutritional Yeast In A Diet
Since nutritional yeast has a cheesy flavor, it can be quite enjoyable to add to many meals and snacks. You can sprinkle it on your pasta and popcorn and can have a guilt-free yummy snack. However, you can also use nutritional yeast in broths, soups, salads, curries, and dips.