Who Should Avoid Brewers Yeast? A Comprehensive Guide

December 5, 2025 •

4 min read

While often praised for its nutritional benefits, brewer's yeast is not safe for everyone. People with certain health conditions or those taking specific medications must exercise caution or avoid it entirely to prevent adverse reactions or worsened symptoms. This guide details the critical situations where consuming brewer's yeast is not recommended.

Quick Summary

Several groups should avoid brewer's yeast, including individuals with yeast allergies, Crohn's disease, or weakened immune systems. Caution is also necessary for those with diabetes, gout, or taking specific medications like MAOIs, due to potential side effects or dangerous interactions.

Key Points

Crohn's Disease: People with Crohn's disease should avoid brewer's yeast, as it can significantly worsen inflammatory symptoms and disease activity.
Immunocompromised Individuals: Due to the risk of systemic fungal infections, those with weakened immune systems from conditions like HIV/AIDS or organ transplants should not take brewer's yeast.
Medication Interactions: Severe drug interactions can occur with MAOI antidepressants and diabetes medications, leading to dangerously high blood pressure or hypoglycemia, respectively.
Yeast Allergies and Gout: Anyone with a known yeast allergy should avoid it. Its high purine content makes it unsuitable for individuals with gout.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Safety during pregnancy and lactation has not been established, so medical professionals advise avoidance.
Not for Chronic Fungal Issues: People with recurrent Candida infections are typically advised to avoid brewer's yeast to prevent potential exacerbation of symptoms.

Who Should Avoid Brewers Yeast?

Brewer's yeast, derived from the brewing process and known scientifically as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is a popular nutritional supplement rich in B vitamins, protein, and minerals like chromium. However, despite its health-promoting properties for many, it poses significant risks for certain individuals. It is crucial to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially for those with pre-existing conditions or on medication.

Medical Conditions That Require Caution

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Individuals with Crohn's disease, and potentially ulcerative colitis, should strictly avoid brewer's yeast. Studies have shown a strong link between brewer's yeast and the exacerbation of Crohn's symptoms. Research suggests that patients with this condition exhibit an abnormal immune response to yeast antigens, and eliminating yeast from the diet has been shown to reduce disease activity.

Weakened Immune Systems

People with compromised immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or organ transplant recipients, should avoid consuming brewer's yeast. The live yeast present in some supplements could potentially increase the risk of systemic fungal infections. While this is a rare occurrence, the risk is significantly higher in immunocompromised individuals and warrants strict avoidance.

Yeast Allergies or Chronic Fungal Infections

Anyone with a known allergy or sensitivity to yeast should avoid brewer's yeast. Allergic reactions can range from mild symptoms like itching and swelling to more severe issues such as difficulty breathing. Furthermore, individuals with recurrent fungal infections, particularly Candida infections, are advised to avoid brewer's yeast supplements. While Saccharomyces and Candida are different species, some healthcare providers advise caution to prevent potential exacerbation of chronic yeast overgrowth issues.

Gout

Brewer's yeast is a rich source of purines, compounds that the body converts into uric acid. High levels of uric acid are the primary cause of painful gout flare-ups. For this reason, individuals with gout or a history of high uric acid levels should avoid brewer's yeast supplements. The purine content is especially high in yeast extracts, making them particularly problematic.

Drug Interactions and Other Risks

Brewer's yeast can interact dangerously with several types of medications. Patients taking these drugs must consult their doctor before using a supplement containing brewer's yeast.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

Brewer's yeast contains a high level of tyramine, a natural compound that can cause a severe spike in blood pressure known as a hypertensive crisis when combined with MAOIs. This is a serious medical emergency and is a direct contraindication for anyone on this class of antidepressants.

Diabetes Medications

Because some brewer's yeast supplements contain chromium, they can lower blood sugar levels. For individuals with diabetes taking glucose-lowering medications like insulin or metformin, adding brewer's yeast can cause blood sugar to drop too low, leading to hypoglycemia. Close monitoring is essential if a healthcare provider approves its use, but avoidance is often recommended to prevent this dangerous interaction.

Antifungal Medications

Since brewer's yeast is a fungus, taking it alongside antifungal medications can decrease the effectiveness of the medication. Patients being treated for a fungal infection, including systemic candidiasis, should inform their doctor and pharmacist about their supplement use.

Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women

There is a lack of reliable scientific information regarding the safety of brewer's yeast during pregnancy and breastfeeding. For this reason, it is recommended that pregnant and breastfeeding women avoid using brewer's yeast supplements to stay on the safe side.

Brewer's Yeast vs. Nutritional Yeast: A Comparison

The Importance of Consulting a Professional

Ultimately, the decision to take any supplement should not be made without professional medical advice. A healthcare provider can assess your individual health profile, including existing medical conditions and current medications, to determine if brewer's yeast is a safe option for you.

Conclusion

While brewer's yeast offers a potent dose of B vitamins and other nutrients for healthy individuals, it is clearly not suitable for everyone. People suffering from conditions like Crohn's disease, gout, or chronic fungal infections should avoid it. The risk of serious drug interactions with MAOIs and diabetes medication further underscores the need for caution. Additionally, due to insufficient safety data, pregnant and breastfeeding women should abstain. A thorough review of your medical history with a doctor is the most responsible approach to avoid potentially harmful consequences.

For more information on the distinctions between different types of yeast, consult the resources at Verywell Health. Verywell Health

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have diabetes, you should consult a doctor before taking brewer's yeast. Since some supplements contain chromium, they can lower blood sugar and cause hypoglycemia when combined with diabetes medication.

Taking brewer's yeast with MAOI antidepressants is extremely dangerous. The high tyramine content can lead to a hypertensive crisis, a rapid and dangerous increase in blood pressure.

Brewer's yeast is high in purines, which can increase uric acid levels and trigger gout attacks in susceptible individuals. If you have gout, you should avoid it.

No, it is not recommended. There is insufficient reliable information on the safety of brewer's yeast during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so it is best to avoid it completely.

Yes, research suggests that brewer's yeast can trigger or worsen symptoms in individuals with Crohn's disease, and those with the condition should avoid it.

If you have a compromised immune system, due to a condition like HIV/AIDS or a transplanted organ, you should avoid brewer's yeast because of the increased risk of systemic fungal infections.

Yes, they are different. While both are Saccharomyces cerevisiae, brewer's yeast is often a byproduct of brewing and can be bitter. Nutritional yeast is grown specifically as a food product, has a cheesy flavor, and is often lower in purines, but caution is still advised for highly sensitive individuals.