Short answer
Yeast has so many species (1500) that it is impossible to say it is good or bad. Some species are quite beneficial to humans, while others can cause serious health problems. Also, some yeast is found in food while some is found naturally in the body.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Yeast is a fungus and is comprised of 1,500 species. More than 80 species occur naturally in the human body and most are deemed harmless. The notable exception to this is candida albicans - which we will discuss below. Yeast has long been featured in the history of human consumption. The type of yeast used depends on the purpose. Three of the most common uses for yeast are to make alcoholic beverages (brewer’s yeast), in baked goods (baker’s yeast), and yeast for health benefits (nutritional yeast). The rest occur naturally in the body.
All three are strains of saccharomyces cerevisiae, with brewer and baker’s yeast being live, and nutritional yeast no longer living. Brewer and Baker’s yeast are rich in B vitamins that help the body convert carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into energy. They also contain a high amount of selenium, which is essential for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. Nutritional yeast often contains vitamin B-12, which occurs naturally only in animals, and therefore is common among vegans.
Candida albicans is a yeast (pathogenic microorganism) residing in the body - it does not come from food. Normally, it is harmless and lives in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract as part of normal gut flora. When allowed to grow too much, candida albicans cause oral and genital infections. Other species of pathogenic yeast that should be mentioned are Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. These species are responsible for cryptococcosis, which accounts for well over half a million deaths annually. One common cause of yeast infections is allowing areas where yeast is present to drop in acidity. Diets high in sugar, obesity, and certain hygienic products can all contribute to this. Click here to read more about the cause of yeast infections.
In rare cases, people may have an allergic reaction to yeast. This may appear to be a yeast infection, however, an allergic reaction is often characterized by difficulty breathing, joint pain, dizziness, and fatigue. If you suspect you may have had an allergic reaction after eating yeast, it's best you speak with a doctor to confirm the reaction was indeed from yeast.
Possible short-term side effects
- fatigue
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headache
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upset stomach
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genital infection
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oral infection
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allergic reaction
Benefits
- increased thyroid function
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convert carbs to energy
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convert protein to energy
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convert fats to energy
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Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 12-29-2015
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 12-29-2015
Last updated: 12-10-2016
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