Side Effects of Nutritional Yeast (2024)

What Is
- What is nutritional yeast?
Side Effects
- Possible side effects of nutritional yeast
Uses
- How can nutritional yeast be used?
Comments
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What is nutritional yeast?

Eating nutritional yeast rarely causes side effects.

Nutritional yeast is deactivated yeast, meaning the yeast cells are killed while being processed and the inactive yeast is the final product. It is generally available in powdered form or as flakes. It has a nutty and cheesy flavor making it a popular vegan cheese (non-dairy cheese) substitute. It is a valuable part of many diets. Nutritional yeast is a great source ofvitamins, minerals and complete proteinslike those found in animal products. For this reason, it is ideal for vegans, vegetarians and anyone who wants to cut back on meat consumption. Complete proteins help in tissue repair, nutrient absorption and prevention of muscle loss. It is low in calories and high in fiber, making it ideal to maintain healthy digestion and a healthy body weight.

The benefits of nutritional yeast outweigh the side effects. Nutritional yeast is safe for most people and negative side effects are extremely rare. It can cause issues for those who are sensitive toyeastproducts or those who are on certain medications. Therefore, while taking any kind of medication, it is advised to consult with a doctor to ensure there are no negative reactions between the medications and nutritional yeast. In general, the negative side effects of consuming nutritional yeast are not common and rarely occur if consumed in large amounts. If side effects do occur, they are usually not serious and can be resolved.

Possible side effects of nutritional yeast

Digestive problems: Nutritional yeast contains a high amount of fiber. Too much nutritional yeast added too quickly to one’s diet can cause problems with digestion, such as abdominal cramps and diarrhea. A high-fiber diet is good for digestive health. However, the fiber should be added gradually and the amount of yeast should be increased slowly, enabling the body to comfortably adapt to higher fiber consumption. Two tablespoons of nutritional yeast contains approximately 5 grams of dietary fiber, which is about 20 percent of the recommended daily intake.
Yeast intolerance and inflammatory bowel disease: Though rare, some people may not be able to digest nutritional yeast. This is usually seen in those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease. Nutritional yeast can trigger or worsen symptoms associated with IBD.
Trigger headaches or migraine attacks: Nutritional yeast may trigger migraine attacks in some individuals with migraine susceptibility because of the presence of tyramine (derived from the amino acid, tyrosine).
Facial flushing: Nutritional yeast is an excellent source of niacin (Vitamin B3), which is essential for body functioning. Consuming large amounts of niacin (usually over 500 mg) may cause facial flushing. Consuming such high doses of niacin can usually happen when it is taken as a supplement.

How can nutritional yeast be used?

Nutritional yeast should be stored in a cool, dark place to preserve its nutritional value and in an airtight container. If safely stored and kept away from moisture, it can last up to 2 years.

Nutritional yeast may be used in the following ways

Sprinkled over popcorn, salads or pasta similar to cheese
Stirred into soups
An alternative to cheese flavoring in vegan or vegetarian sauces, such as pasta sauce, salad dressing or dips
As a thickener for soups, gravies and sauces
It can also be used in pet food to provide extra nutrients because it’s safe for animals to consume

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References

Medscape Medical Reference

Huntington College of Health Sciences

PETA

FAQs

Side Effects of Nutritional Yeast? ›

Possible side effects of nutritional yeast

Digestive problems: Nutritional yeast contains a high amount of fiber. Too much nutritional yeast added too quickly to one's diet can cause problems with digestion, such as abdominal cramps and diarrhea. A high-fiber diet is good for digestive health.

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What is negative about nutritional yeast? ›

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Is it OK to eat nutritional yeast everyday? ›

It's not clear how much nutritional yeast is safe to eat daily. However, having two tablespoons of nutritional yeast is unlikely to cause health problems while nourishing your body with vitamins and minerals. Talk to your doctor to see if adding it to your diet meets your nutrition goals.

What are the side effects of taking yeast? ›

The most common side effects are excess gas, bloating, and migraine-like headaches. Stop taking brewer's yeast and contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience chest pain, throat or chest tightness, or difficulty breathing. These side effects may indicate an allergic reaction to brewer's yeast.

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Does nutritional yeast make you gassy? ›

Nutritional yeast is a good source of fiber. When fiber is introduced to your body in large amounts while it's not something you're used to, it may cause some gastrointestinal discomfort like bloating, gas, and cramps. There are also individuals (although rare) who are intolerant or sensitive to yeast.

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Is nutritional yeast good for gut health? ›

Nutritional yeast may help alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, which is one of the most common gut disorders in the U.S. A 2015 study found that nutritional yeast consumption significantly reduced abdominal pain and discomfort in people with IBS.

What are the symptoms of too much yeast in your body? ›

Symptoms and Causes

Red patch of skin (rash) with small, raised bumps (pustules).
Itching.
Burning sensation.
vagin*l discharge (white or yellow).
White patches or sores in your mouth that cause loss of taste or pain when eating or swallowing.
Swelling (inflammation).

Who should not eat yeast? ›

Only those with an allergy or intolerance to yeast should avoid it in their diets. Eating less yeast may also be part of a temporary elimination diet to diagnose food allergies or sensitivities.

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Who should not take yeast? ›

People who have frequent yeast infections or who are allergic to yeast should avoid brewer's yeast. People with diabetes should talk to their doctors before taking brewer's yeast because it could interact with medications for diabetes and cause low blood sugar.

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Does nutritional yeast have a laxative effect? ›

Nutritional yeast has about 2 g of fiber per tablespoon. Fiber plays a role in supporting many aspects of your health, including your gut and digestive health. Fiber adds bulk to the stool, which can help prevent constipation and keep bowel movements more regular.

Does nutritional yeast cause weight loss? ›

One of the biggest health benefits for nutritional yeast comes with weight loss. Credit goes to a type of fiber called beta-glucan. One study on beta-glucan–rich foods showed they help dieters lose weight 672% faster than normal. Related: What Is Beta-Glucan and Why Is Everyone Raving About Its Weight Loss Superpowers?

Is nutritional yeast heavily processed? ›

It's manufactured and is therefore a processed food, something I tend to avoid. But let's not judge it too quickly, as it has some pretty good benefits. It's made by growing a yeast – Saccharomyces cerevisiae in case you were interested – on a sugar medium for a few days.

Is nutritional yeast an ultra-processed food? ›

So, what exactly is nutritional yeast and how is it made? To start, nutritional yeast is not a 'real thing'. It's manufactured and is therefore a processed food, something I tend to avoid.

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Is nutritional yeast high in histamine? ›

Conclusion: People generally consider nutritional yeast low in histamine, primarily because the saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strain used for its production lacks the histidine decarboxylase enzyme. However, individual reactions may still occur due to other factors.

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