Nutritional Yeast: A Healthfood Powerhouse
VITAMINS & MINERALS
Let's talk about a few of the vitamins and minerals that are present in abundance in nutritional yeast and how they are used in your body. All of these percentages are based on the recommended daily value.640% THIAMIN
Also known as vitamin B1, Thiamin enables the body to use carbohydrates as energy. Without Thiamin, your glucose metabolism would suffer as well as your nerves, muscles and heart function.570% RIBOFLAVIN
Extremely important for energy production, cellular function, and development, as well as the metabolism of fats.280% NIACIN
Aids enzymes which work to convert food into energy. Niacin is vital for the optimal functioning of cellular metabolism. This vitamin signals when a cell needs to be made or DNA needs to be repaired.480% B6
Involved in over 150 enzyme reactions in the body, B6 helps you process protein, carbs, and fat. In addition, it is anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant helping to support your immune and nervous system.60% FOLATE
Necessary to make DNA and for proper cell division.130% B12
Helps produce red blood cells and DNA. It also is essential for the proper functioning of your nervous system. Found in animal foods, vegans and vegetarians alike love nutritional yeast because it contains enough B12 to be an alternative source to meats, eggs, dairy or B12 supplements. Compared to an egg which yields around 6g of protein, nutritional yeast yields 5g of protein per serving size.IMMUNE HEALTH
If you are looking for new ways to boost your immune health, adding nutritional yeast into your diet could be an option.
Nutritional yeast contains many compounds, like beta-glucans, which are known to improve immune function. These compounds and the immense amount of minerals in nutritional yeast help keep your body nourished and functioning at its best.
ANTIBIOTIC PROPERTIES
Nutritional yeast fights off other bacteria by preventing their growth. It has been shown nutritional yeast inhibits the growth of certain yeast infections, E.coli, Salmonella, Candida, and Staph.
CONCLUSION
If you are vegan or vegetarian nutritional yeast should be a staple in your diet. If you are taking supplements, it is not absolutely necessary, but you may find you simply enjoy the flavor combined with various foods.
Make sure when purchasing nutritional yeast you look for the brands in dark containers, light degrades the nutrients inside the yeast.
If you do not have a specific diet, adding nutritional yeast has many benefits beyond providing B12 for those who do not consume animal products. You can mix it as a thickener into soups, sprinkle it over a salad, or create an amazing Mac-N-Cheese!
Give it a shot and see what you think!