Yeast - A General Characteristic, Daily Necessity And Health Benefits

Yeast is one of the most ancient microorganisms. Archaeologists have concluded that around 6000 BC, the Egyptians drank beer with pleasure, and learned to bake yeast bread around 1200 BC.

Today there are about 1500 species of yeast in nature, there are two main groups - ascomycetes and basidiomycetes. They are contained in the leaves, in the soil, in the fruits of various plants, in the nectar of flowers, in berries, in sprouted wheat grains, in malt, in kefir.

Yeast is used in cooking in the preparation of various pastries and beverages.

Common feature

Yeast is a group of unicellular fungi that inhabit semi-liquid and liquid nutrient-rich substrates. The main distinguishing feature of these microorganisms is fermentation. Microscopic fungi feel great at room temperature, and when they rise to 60 degrees, they die.

Despite the huge variety of species, people mainly use only 4 of them in their diet: beer, bread, wine and milk yeast. Fluffy bread and pastries, kefir, beer, grapes - all products that are true leaders in the content of mainly used yeast.

There are also some types of these microorganisms in the body of a healthy person. They live on the skin, intestines and mucous membranes of internal organs. Candida-type fungi are of particular importance to the body, although excessive amounts of them cause disorders in the body and even the development of certain diseases (such as candidiasis).

The most popular are liquid, dry or just live bread yeast, also beer, which as a biologically active substance can be found in pharmacies.

Daily need of the body for yeast

It is known that the presence of yeast-like fungi is necessary for the normal functioning of the intestines.
According to doctors, 5-7 grams of these microorganisms provide a person's daily need for B vitamins and this is the optimal amount.

The need for yeast increases with:

• heavy physical and mental strain;
• stressful situations;
• anemia;
• disorders of carbohydrate, vitamin-mineral and protein metabolism;
• low nutritional value of food on the menu;
• dermatitis, furunculosis, acne;
• burns and wounds;
• avitaminosis;
• weakened immunity;
• diseases of the digestive system (ulcers, colitis, gastritis);
• neuralgia;
• chronic fatigue syndrome;
• in areas with increased radioactive background and harmful effects of other chemicals.

The need for yeast decreases with:

• tendency to allergies to products containing such microorganisms;
• kidney disease;
• endocrine diseases;
• dysbacteriosis and gout;
• predisposition of the body to thrush and other fungal diseases.

Assimilation

A large percentage of yeast is protein (66%). The quality of the proteins contained in them is not inferior to fish, meat, milk. They are well absorbed by the body with moderate use, unless there is intolerance to yeast.

Useful properties and effect on the body

Potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamins B, H and P, folic acid, protein and amino acids, lecithin, methionine - and this is not the full list of nutrients contained in yeast.

These microorganisms activate the absorption of food, increase appetite, stimulate metabolism.

We must clarify that the yeast in bread and pastries die during the heat treatment of the products, so the latter are not sources of live yeast.

Interaction with essential elements

The beneficial properties of yeast are actively revealed in the presence of sugar and water. Microorganisms improve the absorption of many nutrients. Excessive use of products containing yeast can lead to impaired absorption of calcium and some vitamins.

Signs of yeast deficiency in the body:

• digestive problems;
• weakness;
• anemia;
• problems with skin, hair, nails.

Signs of excess yeast in the body:

• allergic reactions caused by intolerance to microorganisms;
• thrush and other fungal diseases;
• bloating.

Factors affecting the yeast content in the body

The main criterion determining the presence of yeast in the body is the food consumed.
The optimal use of products that contain these microorganisms, as well as the general health of a person, have a significant impact on the necessary balance of unicellular fungi in the body.

Yeast for beauty and health

The condition of the skin, hair and nails visibly improves when consuming products containing live yeast. In folk medicine there are many methods for beautifying and preserving an attractive appearance with the help of microorganisms, to which we have dedicated this material. Examples of this are a face mask made from yeast for bread and milk, herbs or juice; Yeast hair mask - one of the most common and effective methods of preserving beauty, used both in the past and today.

You can learn how to prepare such masks from Framar's Health Tips.