Benefits of Nutritional Yeast According to Ayurveda

Nutritional Yeast According to Ayurveda

According to Ayurveda, Nutritional Yeast is considered a fermented food. While fermented foods play a vital part in Ayurveda, they are mostly used for medicinal purposes.  Nutritional Yeast is best avoided for Pitta imbalance, for this very reason.

What is Nutritional Yeast?

Nutritional yeast is made from a single-celled organism called Saccharomyces Cerevisiae. It's produced by culturing a yeast over several days.  It’s grown from sugarcane and beet molasses then harvested, washed, and heat-dried, which deactivates it.

Variety of Vitamins

Nutritional yeast intake on a regular basis can provide much-needed vitamins, especially to vegans and vegetarians, who may have a deficiency in B vitamins in their diets, particularly Vitamin B12.  While each serving contains a low amount of calories, nutritional yeast has but a high amount of protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Myth Busting Nutritional Yeast

It's definitely apparent that nutritional yeast has a lot of mystery surrounding its origins, whether it's good for everyone, and what it's actually derived from. A little tip for you, bio-individuality is the concept that no two people will thrive on the same exact food or lifestyle. Always listen to your body!

Fortified vs Non-Fortified

It may seem of more benefit to have fortified nutritional yeast, as it contains a load more vitamins, but this is largely due to additional micronutrients being added during the manufacturing process. While most nutritional yeasts are in fact fortified, this isn't necessarily good. Of course, having the added nutrients make it a much more nutritious superfood, but they are synthetically made. Non-fortified would be a better option if it is grown in pristine conditions, guaranteeing that it is authentic as possible. Either way, just always look for a good brand that is Non-GMO.

Yeast vs Nutritional Yeast

While the origin of yeast can be dated as far back as the ancient Egyptians, nutritional yeast is the inactive counterpart of bread leavening yeast.
Sometimes brewers yeast can be mistaken for nutritional yeast, however, they are respectively different. Brewers yeast gets its name from its association with brewing beer. On the other hand, pure nutritional yeast is far superior and doesn’t have the bitterness brewers yeast is known for. 

A common misconception of nutritional yeast is that people with a yeast overgrowth such as Candida albicans must avoid this food, which is absolutely untrue. Pure nutritional yeast is not at all related to Candida, making it perfectly suitable for those with an intolerance to yeast. 

Nutritional Yeast and MSG 

As a single-celled microorganism that feeds on sugar, yeast needs the same vitamins and amino acids as humans do. The thing is though, nutritional yeast is grown on sugary foods that actually lack certain nutrients. The nutritional yeast has no choice but to make its own amino acids and vitamins through a series of biochemical reactions.
Because of this process, nutritional yeast also needs to produce Glutamic Acid, which is not the same as Monosodium Glutamate (MSG). It is the main component of many proteins and peptides. This glutamate occurs naturally and is present in most of our foods. Glutamate is also produced in the body and plays an essential role in human metabolism. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) has a sodium atom added to glutamate making it easier to sprinkle onto food.

Nutritional yeast glutamate is produced to connect it to other amino acids or proteins. Our bodies can control what should be absorbed and what is to be removed as waste. 

MSG happens to be one of the most researched food ingredients and according to WHO and many other organizations, they regarded it to be in the safest category for food additives. 

Not Recommended for Pitta Dosha

While Nutritional Yeast has many benefits, it can cause long-term effects for Pitta. Overuse of ferments increases Pitta and spoils the quality of the blood. 

Fermented foods and probiotics are overall considered beneficial for a healthy gut 

and getting complete nutrition. However, good digestion can sometimes be 

interfered if something is consumed in excessive amounts and over long periods. 

Ayurveda uses many fermentation processes, but only for medicinal 

purposes. Fermented food has heating qualities (Pitta), and should be taken in

small doses because overheating the body can cause a lot of complications.

Signs You May Have a Pitta Imbalance

• Acid reflux, gas, indigestion
• Nausea, diarrhea, or constipation
• Anger & irritability
• Excessive sweating
• Inflammation of the joints
• Excess heat in the body
• Bad breath
• Body odor

Properties of Nutritional Yeast

DOSHAS: 

Vata/Kapha Balancing         

Pitta Aggravating

Superpower: Vitamin B Booster

Element: Fire

Some of the Benefits:

• Rich in Vitamin B12

• Preserves Immune Function

• Holds Antiviral and Antibacterial Properties

• Improves Digestion

• Promotes Healthy Hair, Skin, and Nails

• Supports Healthy Pregnancy

• High in Protein: a complete protein containing at least nine of the 18 amino acids that your body cannot produce. 

As a protein food, nutritional yeast benefits the entire body. Protein deficiency can lead to:

• A sluggish metabolism
• Trouble losing weight
• Difficulty building muscle mass
• Low energy levels and fatigue
• Poor concentration and trouble learning
• Mood swings
• Muscle, bone and joint pain
• Blood sugar changes
• Slow wound healing
• Impaired immunity