Brewer's yeast: what are its benefits and how should it be used?

We regularly hear or read about the use of brewer's yeast, without knowing exactly what it is… Here's a definition of brewer's yeast and the 2 types of yeast you can use.

Brewer's yeast is a group of non-pathogenic microscopic unicellular fungi called Saccharomyces cerevisiae that is naturally present in our environment. It is a living material.

We use it in its active or inactive form. Why these two forms?

• Active brewer's yeast: living or revivifiable, active brewer's yeast has been dried slowly at a maximum of 40 degrees so that the Saccharomyces remain alive, and has retained its fermentation power, its highly nutritional qualities and its probiotic properties for the intestinal flora. Live brewer's yeast activates digestion by stimulating our intestinal bacterial flora. The main use of brewer's yeast in this form is to regulate the digestive flora quickly and effectively. The cells making up the flora are reactivated with a little water.

• Inactive or non-living brewer's yeast: more affordable and more widely used, inactive brewer's yeast has been dried at over 40 degrees Celsius, which deactivates the fungi that make it up, without depriving it of its nutritional value. On the other hand, the high temperature has caused it to lose its fermenting power and probiotic properties, which helps anybody who is sensitive to avoid digestive disorders. Inactivated brewer's yeast is mainly used for skin and hair care.

What nutrients does brewer's yeast contain for our health and beauty?

Brewer's yeast is the richest natural source of B vitamins. It contains almost all of them. Aroma-Zone brewer's yeast also contains vitamin B12, an essential supplement for people following a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Let's look at the group B vitamins contained in Aroma-Zone brewer's yeast:

• Vitamin B1 or thiamine, essential for our nervous system, transforms glucose from our food into energy and therefore helps us fight fatigue and regain energy.

• Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, also plays a role in the metabolism of our nutrients, helping them to be properly assimilated.

• Vitamin B3 or PP, also known as niacin or nicotinamide, contributes to our normal energy metabolism and certain psychological functions, as well as helping to maintain healthy skin.

• Vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid, also known as the "anti-stress vitamin", contributes to the proper functioning of the nervous system, in particular memory, concentration and reasoning. Brewer's yeast is the richest food in vitamin B5.

• Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, stimulates the synthesis of keratin and therefore hair growth. It is also involved in a number of enzymatic reactions.

• Vitamin B8 or biotin, rich in sulphur, is also involved in our metabolic functions and also activates hair growth. It is essential for healthy skin, nails and hair.

• Vitamin B9, also known as folic acid in its synthesised form, plays a vital role in the development of the foetus' nervous system when supplemented during pregnancy.

• Vitamin B12, or cyanocobalamin, slows down the ageing of hair cells and the appearance of grey hair thanks to its antioxidant properties and its positive effect on melanin production.

Brewer's yeast also has a high protein content (35 to 40%), containing the 8 essential amino acids.

Brewer's yeast also contains trace elements and minerals such as chromium, zinc, iron, calcium, copper, selenium and silicon ( …).

These components give brewer's yeast exceptional nutritional properties.

Brewer's yeast is also used for its recognised health benefits. It has also proved effective in times of war as a vitamin, mineral and protein supplement for soldiers.

It is recommended for children and teenagers during their growth period, for sportspeople as a food supplement to increase muscle mass, as brewer's yeast contains a large quantity of high-quality protein, for the elderly and for pregnant women (due to its vitamin B9 content).

Simple, unenriched brewer's yeast, with its natural richness in minerals, trace elements and vitamins, has recognised beneficial effects on pregnant women. It helps to enrich the intestinal flora, which can sometimes become unbalanced during pregnancy. What's more, in response to the hormonal changes associated with this period of life, brewer's yeast helps to combat fatigue and maintain healthy skin and beautiful hair.

On the other hand, we cannot say that brewer's yeast increases the production of breast milk during breastfeeding. This claim is not recognised by our health system in France. The effects of brewer's yeast on breastfeeding vary greatly from one young mother to another. Some will find it beneficial in terms of the quality and production of breast milk, while others will not.

The health benefits of active brewer's yeast include

• Elimination of toxins, by purifying the liver. Brewer's yeast stimulates liver function.

• Boosts the immune system, thanks to its beta-glucan polysaccharide content.

• Rebalancing and regenerating the microbiota or intestinal flora, after an illness undergoing antibiotic treatment or gastroenteritis, or a period of exhaustion, with the use of active yeast. Active brewer's yeast reveals its probiotic properties, thanks to its high-quality nutritional composition.

• Recovering energy after a period of tiredness, by providing trace elements and minerals to make up for minor nutritional deficiencies.

• Reduce digestive problems (colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, flatulence, bloating, …) after a few weeks of active yeast treatment.

• Maintain joint health and mobility thanks to its richness in nutrients such as B vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids.

• Keep out of reach of children

• Not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

• Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.

• For adults only.

• Not recommended for pregnant or breast-feeding women.

• This food supplement contains biotin (vitamin B8). Biotin may interfere with thyroid hormone levels, so check with your doctor.