5 Amazing Health Benefits Of Nutritional Yeast

We always associate yeast to beer and bread making and almost everyone must be aware of bakers yeast that is easily available in all the departmental stores but there is a type of yeast called nutritional yeast that is used as a supplement too. Nutritional yeast has wonderful health benefits and in recent years it has become very popular as veganism has gained in popularity.

It is used as substitute for cheese as it tastes little like cheese and also because it is rich in vitamin B12 which is lacking in vegan diet. There are many varieties of yeast and many cause problems to humans but some are beneficial too. In that small group of beneficial yeasts, S.cerevisiae is the most important. It is the variety used both for making brewing and baking yeast and nutritional yeast is nothing but brewers yeast which is deactivated.

# Lowers Triglyceride Levels

Brewers yeast helps lower triglycerides and LDL cholesterol while raising HDL cholesterol. In a study, 11 people with normal lipid levels and 16 people with high lipid levels were given 20 grams of high chromium brewers yeast for about eight weeks and after 8 weeks, a significant decrease in total cholesterol was observed. This is due to the high amounts of chromium and niacin present in brewers yeast.

# Improve Blood Pressure Levels

A randomised double-blind clinical trial was done on 90 adults with type 2 diabetes. They were divided into two groups, one group were given 1800 mg of brewers yeast and another group received placebo. After 12 weeks, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were decreased in the group receiving brewer’s yeast.

# Improves Blood Sugar Levels

Diabetic patients also will benefit including brewers yeast in their diet regularly. Chromium present in Brewer’s yeast is particularly helpful for diabetic patients. A study was done on 84 type 2 diabetic patients who were given 1800 mg of brewers yeast and placebo for a period of eight weeks. The study proved without any doubt that the group receiving brewers yeast reduces blood sugar levels in a significant way.

# Protects The Liver

Brewers yeast is also an excellent source of selenium and selenium is essential for protecting the liver from free radicals. Consuming selenium enriched brewers yeast is particularly helpful for protecting against liver cancer.

# Excellent Source Of Protein

Brewers yeast is a good source of high quality protein as it contains all essential amino acids, just 2 tbsps of brewers yeast contains 8 grams of protein! It is also rich in lysine, vegetarians and vegans will especially benefit including it in their diet regularly.