Still, pregnant women eating more than a third of a cup per day on a regular basis might want to choose a different brand (and incorporate a vegan prenatal), just to avoid any possible issue with this otherwise incredibly health-promoting product. There's still quite a lot of brands to choose from, as no detectable lead levels were found in Bragg, Dr. Fuhrman, Red Star, or NOW Foods brand of nutritional yeast. Which nutritional yeasts are fortified vs unfortified? Not one, but two double-blinded and placebo-controlled studies have been published to date which suggest that nutritional yeast may help with cold and flu side effects. Unfortified nutritional yeast products contain a modest amount of B vitamins, as they form naturally while the yeast grows, and the fortified varieties contain even more.

The University of Michigan conducted a 12-week randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled clinical trial using nutritional yeast. While nutritional yeast contains amino acids, minerals, and B vitamins, there are better food sources for this nutrition that are not man-made. Babies and children are the most sensitive, and any foods that potentially contain MSG should be strictly avoided ( source). Researchers conclude that beta-glucan acts to counteract the negative effects of stress on our immune system (6). 4. Reduced Levels of Cholesterol Although it can usually last around a year or two with proper storage, it’s important to monitor any changes in color, taste and smell to make sure it’s still good prior to consumption. Final Thoughts It’s important to note that nutritional yeast is not the same as brewer’s yeast. Brewer’s yeast is a byproduct of beer-making and used in making bread. It has a bitter taste.

As we firmly believe that adequate supplementation is the key to optimal health as a vegan, all the nooch varieties listed in our ranking will be of the fortified kind! What is the best-tasting nutritional yeast?

Nutritional yeast is not the same as the yeast used to brew beer or make bread. Because it is deactivated (“killed”), it can’t be used for further fermentation and can’t replicate inside your body the way candida or other funguses can. Keep reading for even more reasons to keep a tub in your kitchen cupboard. What is nutritional yeast made out of? When increasing your fiber intake, it’s always best to make sure you’re consuming adequate fluids as well to maintain proper digestion ( 3). Folate is especially important. It can help reduce the risk of birth defects and optimize fetal growth and development. Studies show that low levels of folate during pregnancy may actually be associated with preterm delivery, low birth weight, neural tube defects and growth retardation. 7. Rich in Vitamin B12

Okay, but how do I cook with nutritional yeast?

Since we typically get B12 from animal products like eggs, meat, fish, and dairy, vegans and vegetarians often fall short, says Palinksi-Wade. That's where nutritional yeast comes in: Just one serving every couple of days can help animal-free eaters meet their needs. 5. It could help lower your cholesterol. The stuff is made by culturing a strain of yeast in a medium, like molasses or sugarcane, for several days, says Sonya Angelone, RD, dietitian and spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.