Nutritional Yeast Health Benefits
1. Nutritional Yeast Aids Digestion
Different clinical trials have found that nutritional yeast is effective against diarrheal diseases. It prevents disruption of normal gut bacteria as well as colonization of pathogenic bacteria. Nutritional yeast further prevents adherence and translocation of the bacteria in the intestinal cells. It also produces factors that neutralize bacterial toxins and protects the gut against damage.
2. Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Nutritional Yeast
Nutritional yeast reduces inflammation during a bacterial infection. It also reduces the response of human cells to pro-inflammatory substances. It further modifies the behavior of the immune cells and inhibits the inflammation. Moreover, nutritional yeast blocks the production of pro-inflammatory markers, which helps in the reduction of overall inflammation.
3. Nutritional Yeast Enhances Immunity
The major structural component of S. cerevisiae is beta-glucan. Beta-glucans possess immune-stimulating properties, hence it defends against pathogens and other infection-causing viruses.
Studies have found that beta-glucans present in yeast stimulates the host immune system in order to provide defense against common cold viral attacks. It increases the activity of cells in the body capable of engulfing the bacteria. This helps in reducing the population of bad bacteria in the body and thus, causes a drop in the rate of inflammation.
Hence, adding nutritional yeast to the diet may boost the immune system and help the body get rid of harmful bacteria and toxins.
4. Prevents Deficiency of Vitamin B12
Vegans are at a greater risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiency, as this vitamin is present naturally only in animal foods. But, one effective way to prevent this deficiency is by adding nutritional yeast to the daily diet.
One interesting study found that consumption of fortified nutritional yeast helped in restoring the vitamin B12 levels in individuals who were B12 deficient. This B-complex vitamin is needed by the body for DNA production, the formation of red blood cells, energy production and for a healthy nervous system. Hence, vegans should opt for fortified varieties of nutritional yeast.
5. Great Source Of Powerful Antioxidants
Nutritional yeast is a good source of two important antioxidants- Glutathione and Selenomethionine. These antioxidants protect the body against free radical attack and reduce the risk of oxidative stress-induced diseases.
Glutathione and selenomethionine scavenge the free radicals and block their action and protect the cells of the body against damage and destruction. Hence, adding a good source of antioxidants to the diet can improve the natural antioxidant defense system of the body and protect against a number of diseases.
How to Add Nutritional Yeast to Your Diet?
You can transform any recipe into something delicious and healthy by adding nutritional yeast to it. Here are some simple and interesting ways to use nutritional yeast:
- Add nutritional yeast to your bowl of popcorn to enhance its overall flavor.
- Add it to vegetable soups to further promote their nutritional value.
- Nutritional yeast can also be added to scrambled tofu or stir-fried sprouts.
- Transform boring, plain and bland salads to something super-tasty and healthier by sprinkling nutritional yeast.
- Enhance the flavor of steamed green vegetables by adding some nutritional yeast.
- Whether as a toast or a part of the sandwich, nutritional yeast can be applied on the top of the bread.
- Mixing nutritional yeast with pasta and rice can improve its texture as well as taste.
