A journey through the properties of brewer’s yeast, a food supplement that is increasingly popular in the most naturist areas.
Beer, that non-distilled alcoholic beverage with a bitter taste known to all, is mass-produced worldwide, as statistical portals calculate thatonly in 2018 1.91 million hectolitersof this golden concoction were generated globally.
In countries like the Czech Republic, beer is so widespread from a cultural point of view that, on average, each citizen consumes 143 liters annually. Since its conception in ancient Mesopotamia (3100 BC), this alcoholic beverage has accompanied the human being in celebrations, meetings, meals and many other social contexts throughout history.
Beyond the concoction resulting from the fermentation of barley grains with yeast, there are other products related to beer but whose uses vary drastically with respect to the drink. This is the example of brewer’s yeast, sinceits consumption and administration for therapeutic purposes are clearly on the rise. Today we tell you everything you need to know about it.
- We recommend you read: “Grapeseed oil: 12 properties and benefits”
What is brewer’s yeast?
Before addressing the properties of the compound, it is essential that we know the agent that produces it. In this case we are facing Saccharomyces boulardii, a strain of the well-known beer yeast to use, that is,Saccharomyces cereviseae. It is a single-celled fungus that, despite being closely related to brewer-producing yeast, has taxonomic, metabolic and genetic characteristics different enough to be separated from it.
Even so, the supplements that concern us here are known by the general population as “brewer’s yeast”, because making a distinction spinning such a fine can be more confusion than relevant information. It has been shown, through scientific studies, that Saccharomyces boulardii is a probiotic microorganism, that is, it helps restore the intestinal flora.
Composition
It is still necessary that we know more about the element of relevance, since its properties are explained based on its nutritional composition. In a cursory way, let’s see what makes brewer’s yeast so specialby looking at its dietary properties:
- Brewer’s yeast contains proteins with all the essential amino acids, that is, those that must be ingested with the diet.
- It also possesses glutathione, a tripeptide with antioxidant properties.
- It contains vitamins, mainly B1, B2, B3 and B6. These participate in very important reactions in the body.
- It presents beneficial trace elements for the patient, such as selenium and chromium.
- Fiber accounts for 18% of dry matter from the supplement, which is why it is considered to have a prebiotic effect, as well as being a probiotic in itself.
Although the presence of vitamins and minerals does not tell us much (as many foods have similar nutritional values), the high percentage of fiber does catch our attention. As has been shown on multiple occasions, fibers in prebiotic foods promote the growth of “good” gut bacteria, which favors the absorption of compounds in the digestion process and prevents the colonization of other potentially harmful pathogens.
Properties and benefits of brewer’s yeast
We are going to elaborate on this point, because we must be very careful with the general statements and what we try to sell as consumers. Based on the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (CRB), we’re going to show you what brewer’s yeast can and can’t do. Let’s go.
First of all, we are not denying the effectiveness of brewer’s yeast against these diseases but, of course, there is not enough scientific evidence to make a categorical statementregarding the subject. This supplement has not been shown to help against amoeba infections, cholera, Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, heart failure, high cholesterol levels, irritable bowel syndrome, jaundice, colitis and many other conditions.
Although in some of these cases (such as Crohn’s or irritable bowel syndrome) it has been observed in preliminary research that it improves the lives of patients relatively in conjunction with certain drugs, it is certainly not a miracle solution by itself.
We increase in this “scale of effectiveness”, because it seems that brewer’s yeast can help in acne processes, diarrhea associated with taking antibiotics, diarrhea caused by bacteria and infection of the bacteriumHelycobacter pylori. While research has proven the effectiveness of these supplements confirmed, it is a fact that accessory antibiotics and other additional drugs are required to combat the disease in question. Of course, brewer’s yeast alone does not cure pathologies.
Having vitamin B confirmed, this supplement is also considered a good revitalizer of hair and nails, as well as a possible solution as a treatment for acne.
A precautionary measure
As you have seen, we do not catch our fingers with blunt statements. It is confirmed thatSaccharomyces boulardiiis a probiotic, as it helps fight pathogens that cause diseases at the gastrointestinal level and, in addition, its high fiber content promotes the proliferation of other “good” microorganisms.
Even so, this does not mean that in the face of diarrhea caused by an enteric bacterial infection, brewer’s yeast will be the definitive solution. The studies and medical portals are clear: its effectiveness has been proven, but always as an accessory complement accompanied by an antibiotic treatment focused on primarily combating the pathogen that causes the clinical picture.
How to take it and considerations
Yeast can be obtained in powder form in most food chains and, luckily, it can be consumed without any prior cooking. Thus, it is an excellent addition to soups, pasta, yogurts, milk or even a glass of water. According to most portals, 1-2 tablespoons a day is enough to start noticing its effects.
On the other hand, brewer’s yeast can be purchased in naturist stores in the form of capsules. In these cases, it is recommended to consume it three times a day throughout the three large meals. This value may vary, but the package leaflet will indicate the safe mode of ingestion in each case. Here are some concrete examples:
- In patients with diarrhea caused by antibiotics, consumption of 250-500 mg is recommended, 2-4 times a day, for two weeks.
- In patients with diarrhea caused by bacteria, 1 gram, twice a day, can be administered for four weeks along with the administration of antibiotics.
- In cases of traveler’s diarrhea, the administration of 250-1,000 milligrams every day for a month may be considered.
As considerations, people with depressed immune systems, the elderly and pregnant women should be a little more carefulthan the rest of the general population before the consumption of this supplement. There is some concern in the medical field, as it is theorized that these supplements, in weak patients, could lead to fungemia (the presence of fungi in the blood). This possible risk has not yet been fully quantified, but when in doubt, prevention is better than cure.
Summary
As we have seen in these lines, brewer’s yeast reports clear benefits and has other possible properties that are yet to be demonstrated but, of course, it is not a magic complement. Diarrheal symptoms can be combated with the ingestion ofSaccharomyces boulardii, but always using a primary medication that binds the cause of the problem directly.
It should also be noted that the National Library of Medicine of the United States places its period of uninterrupted administration at a maximum of 15 months, that is, we are not facing a supplement that is recommended to take for life. Here we have learned that brewer’s yeast can be a positive complement to some clinical pictures, but that it will never replace a conventional treatment.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.