Sometimes, protein can come in unexpected forms. And with an added benefits of being a vegetarian protein and filled with hair strengthening nutrients? Well, count us in—or in this case, picking up some brewer’s yeast at our next stop by the grocery store.

The benefits of brewer’s yeast have been known for millennia and rival hair growing supplements like biotin and folic acid. From a technical point of view, brewer’s yeast is a collection of microscopic, nonpathogenic unicellular fungi known by the scientific name Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, which can be used in an active or inactive form. In the former case, the microorganisms are alive and take care of the intestinal flora, while in the latter, high-temperature drying has caused the brewer’s yeast to lose its fermentative power, becoming ultra-potent when it comes to skin and hair.

The properties of brewer’s yeast

The benefits of brewer’s yeast (and it’s cousin, nutritional yeast) are mainly related to its very high content of B vitamins, which are essential to the body and nervous system. Specifically:

• vitamin B1 (thiamine) to combat fatigue
• vitamin B2 (riboflamine) to promote the assimilation of micronutrients
• vitamin B3 (niacin) for energy
• vitamin B5, known as the anti-stress vitamin
• vitamin B6 to stimulate keratin synthesis and hair growth
• vitamin B8 (biotin) for essential for healthy skin, nails and hair
• vitamin B9 (folic acid)
• vitamin B12, to protect against cellular aging

Along with vitamins, brewer’s yeast is also an incredible source of protein and trace minerals like zinc, which help with immunity.

How to use brewer’s yeast to strengthen hair

The easiest way to get the benefits of brewer’s yeast for hair is to take a supplement. With precise, consistent and continuous intake, you can achieve visible results in terms of stronger, healthier and shinier hair.

Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue beauty editor at large, also loves it sprinkled on her popcorn for a snack: “I start with a 15 pound bag of Amish Rainbow Popcorn because I like to imagine they don’t use pesticides, pop it on the stove in a big pot with organic extra virgin olive oil (turn the stove off when you start to hear the pops space out to a couple of seconds), then sprinkle on Bragg Nutritional Yeast, powder bone broth, any organic spices like oregano or dill in the cabinet, and if you’re feeling really daring, Tajin makes it so good.”