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What is Brewer's Yeast?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Brewer's yeast is a type of fungus formally known as Saccharomyces cervisiae. Along with other Saccharomyces species, brewer's yeast is used to brew beer and bake some breads, and can also be used as a nutritional supplement in an inactive form. Like other yeasts, brewer's yeast will ferment carbohydrates when it comes into contact with them, forming a froth of carbon dioxide which can ferment grains into beer and cause bread to rise. When used as a dietary supplement, brewer's yeast can provide the body with a number of essential vitamins and minerals including vitamin B. While this yeast can be used to bake bread, most bakers use baker's yeast specifically, a sweet and less bitter culture of Sacchraomyces.

Yeast is a living organism which forms colonies of single, simple cells classified as fungi. It grows readily as long as conditions are warm and moist, and while it eats food, it emits carbon dioxide and alcohol as byproducts, a process called fermentation. The properties of yeast were discovered thousands of years ago, in the form of floating wild yeasts, which are still used today for many artisan breads such as sourdough. Today, yeast is cultured for consistency and is readily available in a dried, ready to be activated form for making bread and beer.

A spoonful of brewer's yeast.
A spoonful of brewer's yeast.

A number of Saccharomyces species are used to brew beer, depending on whether it is a top or bottom fermenting beer. Some brewers use a different genus of yeast, especially for specialty beers like Belgian wheat beers. To brew beer, this yeast is added to hops and malted barley and allowed to ferment the hops and barley into alcohol, made bubbly by the carbon dioxide. The beer ferments for several weeks at varying temperatures, depending on the type of beer being made, and then is ready to bottle.

Hops, which are combined with brewer's yeast and malted barley to make beer.
Hops, which are combined with brewer's yeast and malted barley to make beer.

In addition to being used for beer, deactivated brewer's yeast is also used as a nutritional and flavor supplement, and is often found labeled as “nutritional yeast” in grocery stores. It is important to make sure that you purchase an inactive form of yeast for a nutritional supplement, because active yeast will flourish in your intestines, potentially causing health problems. Some consumers sprinkle the yeast on food simply because it tastes good, but many people, including vegetarians, also use this yeast to eat a balanced diet. It is extremely nutritionally rich, and contains protein, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals which can keep consumers healthy. Many folk remedies for poor skin include brewer's yeast, and some studies have suggested that consuming it can accelerate the healing time for cuts and similar injuries.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon1002751

"Active yeast will flourish in your intestines, potentially causing health problems". First part is true, second part is false. We get active yeast from many fruits that we eat without peeling, like grapes, figs, etc. Neither they or brewers' yeast will cause any health problems. We already host a huge number of colonies of microorganisms, which work together with our body. There are beneficial microorganisms and brewer's yeast is one of them. In the old days (and still some) people would drink beer as brewed, with active yeasts. Pasteurization of beer is very recent and only for prolonging shelf life of beer.

anon992304

If you're hoping to gain nutritional benefits, nutritional yeast is what you should be taking and feeding to animals, not brewer's yeast. Bob's Red Mill makes a great one; it has B vitamins and niacin, and is often recommended to vegans and vegetarians.

It can be sprinkled on salads on mixed with pasta to make a dairy free "mac and cheese."

anon924903

Has anyone ever tried brewers yeast on popcorn? Amazing!

anon327407

I used regular brewers yeast for my dogs. A country vet told me about it. It did a wonderful job on fleas in Texas. I just bought the powdered kind and put the can on the floor for the dogs to take it themselves. (They loved it) They seem to take it when they need it; the can took a while to empty.

I don't recall whether it was active or not, but, it seemed to work with no side effects. I was ignorant about there being different kinds of brewers yeast. But for what it's worth, there were no additives in it, (ignorance is bliss) and it worked well, so check with a vet or natural food source. Walmart sells it from the warehouse. Best of luck.

anon292464

I am also going to give brewers yeast a go. I've seen for myself the benefits with my broodmares. As it has mentioned, it's fantastic for increasing milk production, calming and also for curing sweet itch on horses. I love the shack idea with brewers yeast! How much should humans use? In horses, it's three to seven tablespoons.

anon285289

What are brewers yeast tablets good for?

anon284800

Can I use ground brewer's yeast tablets and apply it topically to my hair?

anon233184

I used to take brewers yeast in my 20's, regularly in shakes. I can tell you that this is a super food; the results were amazing. I had such a feeling of well-being after taking this. I had so much energy and rarely needed to sleep much. It increased my ability to think quickly, I was in great shape, always felt fit, cholesterol under 100. After many years, I stopped taking it as life crept in and I didn't have time to make shakes and the taste is awful.

Well, here we are, many years later and I'm just starting to take it again. After one week, I feel it is making a difference. I feel much more alert, alternately, I feel so much more relaxed as I'm always stressed, and I believe it is allowing me to sleep restfully. So far, I feel much less hungry and while it is only a week, I do feel like I've dropped a few pounds because of it. I hope I can keep taking this. I think everyone's biological makeup is so different, and what is working well for one won't necessarily be the answer to what another body requires. But, I would highly recommend this more than any supplement I've ever taken. And I've taken a lot. Do not cook this yeast -- just mix it in a shake (I use a little milk, yogurt and berries / banana).

I also feel like my skin is smoother and the lines in my face are less noticeable (so maybe it does puff up the cheeks). The brewers yeast I'm taking has psyllium in it and it doesn't taste as bad as I had remembered (silver bottle purchased at GNC). Anyway, if you're thinking about it, and you're not on any meds, I, for one, recommend it highly. You need to be consistent with it and give it some time.

anon181007

I just got my blood test results and apparently i am allergic to brewers yeast. What are the foods that i should avoid on a regular basis?

anon175564

Supermarkets have it, health food stores, vitamin shops.

anon166999

I'm living in qatar i would like to buy this medicine. where i can buy it? The local pharmacy does not sell it.

anon163428

The problem with brewer's yeast? It's not protein, it's free amino acids. Well let's put things into perspective shall we? Brewers Yeast is high in minerals, B vitamins, and "protein". In addition to its many health claims, it is also one of the best sources of the highly coveted Beta Glucans! Needless to say, it is considered a super food even amongst holistic practitioners.

The problem is that it is also extremely high in glutamic acid. In fact, a single serving (2 tablespoons) has 1800 mg of glutamic acid. When glutamic acid is bound to other aminos (polypeptides)it is safe. But if it is in "free glutamate" form, it is considered a neurotoxin, just like monosodium glutamate, or MSG. So, if proteins are hydrolyzed (like "hydrolyzed soy protein" or "hydrolyzed vegetable protein"), or over processed, or over heated (cooked), the chemical bonds are broken forming free amino acids, and unfortunately, free glutamic acid(MSG)or "excitotoxins".

So the question becomes: how was the brewers yeast processed? Low heat pasteurization, hopefully! Trust me, it matters. Free glutamates present a serious health risk because they are hidden under many different names especially in processed food. Even tomatoes, mushrooms, and legumes are naturally high in the bound form (safe form), but overcooking these foods literally turns them toxic. Free glutamates are everywhere nowadays and are getting harder to avoid. Aspartame (nutrasweet) is also an excitotoxin that should be avoided at all costs. Read up on this issue. It's worth it. Best of luck.

anon155374

My daughter is allergic to molds. Would this mean she shouldn't use brewer's yeast. We thought about giving it to help her gain weight as she has a medical condition that affects her nutrition and weight.

anon148517

Do the following products contain Brewer's yeast:

red wine, white wine and Champagne?

anon144201

can I make a healthy nutritional beer from brewers yeast?

anon130479

Where do I buy this and how to use it? How to tell the difference between active and inactive brewers yeast?

anon97207

Every morning I make myself a protein shake and I put in my protein powder, brewers yeast, lecithin and flaxseed. I use milk for the base and throw in fruit, usually a banana. Then I toss down all my other vitamins and drink a lot of water. I do this at 6 a.m. and really don't feel hungry until around 2 or 3 in the afternoon. And yes, it does keep away mosquitoes.

RosaAzul

I take it as pills, and I'm trying to gain a little weight with it because I'm thin. It helped me to gain a little weight. But i don't know if this kind of pill is strong because sometimes it makes me so tired and gives me a headache and i believe it's because of it, but i can handle it.

I think it is different from one body to another. but I'm happy with the result.

anon89701

Does anyone know if brewers yeast helps with losing weight? Does it really matter when you take it?

anon88776

does brewer yeast increase body weight?

anon69633

I've read a lot about brewers yeast and its benefits upon weight loss if taken first thing in the morning and gaining weight and if taken after meals. Is this true? And can i use brewer yeast with appetite stopper pills?

anon68669

Does Brewers yeast help to increase breast milk?

anon63572

I heard that the brewer's yeast works to enlarge the cheeks. Is this true?

anon52364

I have been giving my dogs and cats Brewers Yeast for 35 years now and have never had a problem with fleas, even though they go outside where we have sheep and a donkey. They love it.

Also, I have used walnuts and garlic for dermatitis and healed a stray dog with a horrible case.

I use Lewis Labs Brewers Yeast and sprinkle no more than 1/4 tsp twice a day. Too much too soon will cause stomach upset. Go easy at first. Good luck.

anon48302

Brewers yeast can be purchased at any discount store in the vitamin section.

anon48051

I have recently read that using brewers yeast powder made into a paste and applied topically to the head is supposed to help with hair loss. Although not a complete cure for baldness it is meant to help the hair regrow. Does anyone know if there is any truth in this?

anon47025

Regarding 19, Dr. Oz recommends brewers yeast on popcorn. I have been looking for something that would taste good on pop corn. Where do you buy it and what kind do you buy?

anon46961

can a person take brewers yeast if they have a yeast problem like candida or candidiasis? is it safe or will it make it worse?

anon46605

Where can i buy brewers yeast? What about the Dr oz popcorn recipe? does it work and what is the recipe?

anon46434

I just saw this on the Dr. Oz show for belly fat. is this the same brewers yeast and does it work! I need it and where to purchase it from. Help please! I saw him sprinkle it on popcorn.

anon46173

So i want to give brewers yeast to my dogs. I read that it is available in two types: the type that comes from the beer making process and the type that's made from plants like sugar beets. Does anyone know which type to use or does it really matter?

anon44632

Heard that brewers yeast taken daily stops mosquitos from biting. Is that true? If so how much would an adult take daily and is is OK for children to take also?

thomasrob

Does anyone have info on the best source of brewers yeast?

anon42227

Actually, brewer's yeast is not the same as nutritional yeast. Brewer's yeast contains chromium (nutritional yeast is very low in chromium). Also, this article states that brewer's yeast is a good source of B vitamins - but it does not contain vitamin B12. This is important, since many vegans take yeast supplements in order to get B12. Nutritional yeast generally is fortified with B12.

anon39284

Yes, brewers yeast tablets do keep ticks & fleas off your dog. I was giving my chow 6 tabs a day. He loved them & ate it like candy. I took them also as the ticks were bothering me on walks. It's cheap too. There is a product you can buy also with garlic & vit. added for dogs & cats.

bhavaksh

Where do I buy Brewers yeast and how do I use it?

anon37001

Where do I buy this and how to use it?

How to tell the difference between active and inactive brewers yeast?

anon36541

I heard somewhere that feeding your dog brewers yeast either sprinkled on his food or by tablets can rid your pet of fleas, has anyone else heard of this, and how much should i give my dog, who suffers horribly from dermatitis?

anon35210

I am type 2 dibetic is it OK to take brewers yeast tablets?

anon34389

How can I make brewer's yeast at home?

anon27995

About brewer's yeast stopping sugar cravings, this could be partly true because it contains Chromium which aids blood sugar levels thus stopping cravings.

anon18541

i went to the allergy doctor, i was told i have an allergy to brewer's yeast, what foods to i stay away from?

anon18264

I read that 1 tablespoon of Brewer's Yeast, taken in warm water, once a day, will stop the sugar cravings. Is this true?

anon6947

I have just read an post about feeding Daphnia (very small crustaceans) Brewers Yeast. The guy suggested adding HOT WATER to the yeast to de-activate it. This makes sense as when I am Home brewing adding the yeast to the Wort at to high a temperature (34 degree cel. and over) means the yeast DIES. I have also been told mixing it with Apple cider vinegar does the trick ... though it would then taste rather vinegary!

anon4805

Where do I buy this and how to cook and eat?

How to tell the difference between active and inactive brewers yeast?

anon4487

How Can I Eat It ? (cooked, raw ..) ?

anon3778

I've heard that brewers yeast can increase milk supply in a nursing mom. Is this true and what are the side effects?

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    • A spoonful of brewer's yeast.
      By: Stephanie Frey
      A spoonful of brewer's yeast.
    • Hops, which are combined with brewer's yeast and malted barley to make beer.
      Hops, which are combined with brewer's yeast and malted barley to make beer.
    • Brewer's yeast tablets.
      By: Vidady
      Brewer's yeast tablets.
    • The properties of yeast were discovered thousands of years ago, in the form of floating wild yeasts, which are still used today for many artisan breads such as sourdough.
      By: enzo4
      The properties of yeast were discovered thousands of years ago, in the form of floating wild yeasts, which are still used today for many artisan breads such as sourdough.
    • Brewer's yeast allows barley to ferment into alcohol.
      By: Gordan Jankulov
      Brewer's yeast allows barley to ferment into alcohol.