Nutritional Yeast Benefits: Why It’s a Superfood

Looking to supercharge your diet with a new superfood? Nutritional yeast is an easy addition to many recipes and comes loaded with health-enhancing properties. Nutritional yeast benefits are plentiful. It can help bring down cholesterol levels, provide you with a much-needed energy boost, and help strengthen your immune system. It’s also easy to incorporate into your daily diet, making it an obvious choice if you’re looking to play around with new recipes.

A Nutrient-Dense Addition to Any Diet

As with the best superfoods, nutritional yeast is packed with essential nutrients that can improve health. Just a couple of tablespoons of nutritional yeast can turn even the simplest of dishes into a nutrient-rich feast. Packed with vitamins and minerals, nutritional yeast contains significant amounts of B vitamins, including vitamins B1, B2, and B12. These encourage the production of red blood cells, while also aiding in the maintenance and repair of DNA.

Key Health Benefits of Nutritional Yeast

Still not sold on nutritional yeast? Below are just some of the many health benefits of nutritional yeast that might convince you to start using it.

A Natural Source of B Vitamins

Many people, including vegans and vegetarians, struggle to get enough B vitamins in their diet. Unfortified nutritional yeast naturally contains a range of B vitamins and minerals, making it a great addition to a balanced diet. While fortified nutritional yeast includes added synthetic B12 for easier absorption, unfortified varieties provide only the nutrients naturally produced during fermentation.

A High-Quality Plant-Based Protein Source

When you’re avoiding animal products, it can be difficult to find suitable sources of protein. By adding nutritional yeast to your go-to recipes, you can incorporate a significant amount of protein into your diet. For every tablespoon of nutritional yeast you add to your dishes, you’ll add 2.5 grams of protein. What’s more, you don’t have to worry about the usual calories and fat content usually attached to protein-rich products.

Each tablespoon of nutritional yeast packs 2.5 grams of protein—without the extra calories or fat that usually come with high-protein foods.

Supports a Healthy Immune System

High in beta-glucans, nutritional yeast can help build a stronger immune system. As well as staving off everyday ailments like the common cold, beta-glucans can also reduce symptoms in sufferers. Immune response also gets a lift thanks to a rich concentration of antioxidants.

Benefits for Gut Health and Digestion

Are you worried that you’re not getting enough fiber in your diet? Incorporating nutritional yeast into your diet can help. Just two tablespoons of the stuff contains around a fifth of your recommended daily intake, making it a smart choice if you’re already cramming your diet with fresh fruit and vegetables.

Supports Healthy Hair, Skin, and Nails

Nutritional yeast contains high amounts of minerals like zinc and selenium, both of which are important to hair health. If you’re suffering from deficiencies, nutritional yeast can be an effective way of increasing your levels. Looking for clearer skin? Thanks to a high concentration of B vitamins, nutritional yeast can help combat things like acne, helping limit oil production while keeping pores clear. All of these vitamins and minerals are also essential for optimal nail growth.

A Low-Sodium, Dairy-Free Alternative to Cheese

Are you following a vegan diet? Perhaps you’re lactose intolerant. Finding nutrient-rich alternatives to common dairy products can be a challenge, especially if you’re looking for low-salt options. With nutritional yeast, you have the perfect substitute. In flake form, you have a versatile ingredient that can be used in all manner of dishes in lieu of cheese and other dairy.

Who Can Benefit Most from Nutritional Yeast?

Still not sure about nutritional yeast? This flavorsome food seasoning is a popular choice with many demographics for a wide variety of reasons.

Many meat and dairy-free options lack flavor and nutrients—but nutritional yeast delivers both, making it a go-to for vegans and vegetarians.

Vegans and Vegetarians

While there are plenty of meat and dairy-free menu options on the market today, many of them fall far short in the flavor department. These substitutes also tend to be lacking when it comes to essential nutrients. Nutritional yeast is both highly nutritious and packed with savory flavor, making it a must for vegans and vegetarians.

People Looking for Natural Energy Boosters

Feeling tired and fatigued? If you tend to avoid energy drinks and caffeine pick-me-ups, nutritional yeast can be a good alternative. Containing energy-enhancing vitamin B12, amino acids, and thiamin, nutritional yeast is an easy way to get that boost you’re looking for.

Those Seeking a Gut-Friendly, Immune-Boosting Food

If you suffer from digestive issues, nutritional yeast is a low-impact ingredient that you can use to help remedy the problem. Rich in fiber, it can help promote natural digestion and intestinal health.

How to Get the Most Out of Nutritional Yeast

Nutritional yeast is an incredibly versatile ingredient and can be incorporated into all manner of everyday dishes and delicious snacks. Because of its distinctive umami flavor, it makes a welcome addition to things like pasta recipes, soups, and sauces. Its cheesy properties make it a good swap for the real thing if you’re looking to replace cheese-based sauces, while it can also be used as a seasoning and sprinkled over many prepared dishes.

Like any great superfood, LOOV's nutritional yeast is full of nutrients—and just a few tablespoons can turn simple meals into something seriously nourishing.

FAQs About Nutritional Yeast Benefits

So, is Nutritional Yeast Really Good for You?

Nutritional yeast can be a healthy addition to any diet. Rich in a variety of essential vitamins, nutritional yeast is also a good source of protein and fiber.

Does Nutritional Yeast Really Help with Energy?

Because it’s packed with B vitamins, including B12, nutritional yeast can certainly help you if you suffer from low energy levels. These B vitamins help promote metabolism, resulting in increased energy levels and enhanced red blood cell production.

Is Nutritional Yeast a Good Protein Source?

Nutritional yeast is a solid choice if you’re looking for premium protein sources to replace animal products. A couple of tablespoons of nutritional yeast is packed with almost as much as protein as a single egg, making it a rich addition to any meal, shake, or smoothie.

Can Nutritional Yeast Support Gut Health?

Because of the rich fiber content of nutritional yeast, nutritional yeast can help promote easier digestion, resulting in improved gut health.

Does It Contain Antioxidants?

Nutritional yeast offers a rich source of antioxidants. These antioxidants, including the likes of selenomethionine and glutathione, help protect against cell damage. Research also suggests that they can help stave off serious health conditions like cancer and heart disease.  

What About Gluten?

Many people wonder whether nutritional yeast contains gluten. The answer is no—nutritional yeast is naturally gluten-free. However, for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, it’s important to check for potential cross-contamination during manufacturing.