This is why nutritional yeast is considered impure — it most likely contains processed free glutamic acid ( source). When ingested, the highly concentrated glutamates enter the bloodstream then the brain without going through the proper channels of digestion ( source). 25% of the population reacts adversely to free glutamic acid, usually within 48 hours of ingestion. Similarly to Bragg, Red Star's nooch is one of the most well known on the market, and it is generally considered the most affordable — no lead was detected in Red Star's samples either, so you can shop knowing the product is 100% safe. Even though it’s from fortification, it’s still noteworthy because there aren’t many vegan B12 food sources. 2. Cholesterol-free cheese substitute

For that reason, the easiest way to ensure you are getting enough b12 is to take a supplement or eat a fortified food. For example, just 1.5 teaspoons of Bragg’s nutritional yeast provides 157% of your daily value of vitamin b12! 2. Improved Mental Health The most notable added vitamin is B12. This essential nutrient only occurs naturally in living organisms. Herbivores like cows and horses get their B12 by ingesting insects and clumps of soil containing B12 producing bacteria while they graze. As a vegan, if you don’t want to eat dirt and bugs, your best option for getting enough B12 is to take a B12 supplement or consume foods fortified with synthetic vitamins. The best nutritional yeast for you may vary based on your specific needs. Vegans, for instance, may benefit from a fortified version, which can provide a host of nutrients that may be challenging to get from food sources alone, such as vitamin B12. Others simply looking to bump up their protein or fiber intake may prefer to opt for an unfortified type instead. Vs. Brewer’s Yeast Nutritional yeast contains many B vitamins, all of which tend to benefit healthy hair, skin and nails. Biotin, in particular, has been shown to support healthy hair, skin and nails. It also helps slow signs of skin aging, such as redness and skin spots. Although facial flushing is not dangerous, high doses of niacin can cause other, more dangerous side effects, such as liver failure. However, this is rare ( 16).

The final say

The best way to describe nooch for newbies would be a cheesy, savory, umami condiment that can boost the flavor of any food it's prepared with or used as a topping on, as well as making for the perfect supplement for boosting the nutritional content of even the most unhealthy of meals. Think it sounds too good to be true? Those taking nooch had fewer and less severe allergy symptoms, apparently due to immune modulating effects from it. Because vitamin b12 is not readily available in the majority of plant foods, many people believe that only vegetarians or vegans need to worry about getting enough of it. Shilpa is also a fan of Bob’s Red Mill, “always unseasoned, so I can fine-tune the flavors just the way I like.” On the other hand, unnaturally fermented or manufactured foods contain something called “processed free glutamic acid”. In other words, glutamic acid has been freed from its protein during the manufacturing process. It is now an excitotoxin.

However, according to a study of 2,999 men and women between the ages of 26-83, 39% of people, meat eaters included, are low in vitamin b12 (2). Here’s the summary: they tested 8 different brands of nutritional yeast, and 3 of the brands had detectable levels of lead. However, it appears that tyramine may act on the central nervous system. It releases various hormones, which may lead to an increase in blood pressure and cause headaches ( 5, 10). Though every brand of nutritional yeast is slightly different, most have similar nutritional stats. Another animal model published in Anticancer Research even found that beta-glucan could be useful in the treatment of lymphoma in mice by decreasing tumor growth.Reasonable serving sizes of any nutritional yeast brand will still fall well within safety limits.The overall amount of lead is very, very low, and most people do not need to be concerned. You can get nutritional yeast in flakes or powder.I prefer the flakes. If you see “Large Flakes,” that’s ideal (in my opinion). In addition to suffering fewer days, the severity of nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and other symptoms were lower vs. placebo. 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.