Based on the most recent research of Victoria University’s College of Health and Biomedicine in Melbourne, Australia, a diet of Vegemite and other spreads made of yeast helps people to be less worrisome and stressful.
A 520-people online survey was conducted in Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. The survey is about checking on how spreads made of yeast influence the people’s mood that eats them regularly. These yeast-based spreads include Vegemite, Marmite, and Promite.
Vegemite lowers anxiety and stress
Researchers used a kind of scale called “anxiety stress scale” in the survey which indicates lower tension and pressure scores of people that ate Vegemite on a daily basis.
The gooey black spread is rich in B vitamins such as B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, and B12.
According to lead researcher Professor Vasso Apostolopoulos, the yeast-based spreads were consumed at the time of World War I as necessary supplies to soldiers. Subsequently, it became a family essential food as advertisers make use of the well-known marketing jingle including ‘‘my mate marmite’’ and “happy little vegemites” to associate them to health advantage.
"We know these extracts contain some of the world’s richest sources of B vitamins, which are essential in keeping our bodies energized and regulating the nervous system,” Prof. Apostolopoulos said.
She added that the research is significant since the number of Australians suffering from anxiety already reaches to over 2 million.
Furthermore, this kind of condition will be the second cause of death and disability following heart diseases as the main. She stressed that although Vegemite and other yeast-based spreads are cheap and readily available, it should not be used to replace the medical treatment of developed desperation and other personality disorders.
What is Vegemite?
Vegemite is already a part of Australia’s culture and Australian children are raised on Vegemite since they are babies. What is Vegemite anyway? It is one of the several yeast-based spreads purchased in Australia. Aside from yeast extract, the almost-black spread is also made up of several vegetables and spice seasoning.
Vegemite Trivia
- Australia manufactures around 22.7 million Vegemite jars annually which is equivalent to 235 jars a minute.
- For every jar of Vegemite that is exported, 30 jars are sold in Australia having a ratio of 1:30
- Australian pantries contain jars of Vegemite out of 10.
History of Vegemite
It was in 1922 that Fred Walker of Melbourne, Australia made a decision to produce a unique yeast extract that is going to be appetizing as well as nourishing for his Fred Walker Cheese Company to merchandise. It was the company’s main scientist, Dr. Cyril P. Callister who invented the original Vegemite spread by using brewer’s yeast extract and mixing it with some vegetables and spices that formed a paste.
Walker’s daughter Sheilah named the vitamin B-enriched spread as “Vegemite”.
Kraft Foods acquired the Vegemite's recipe together with its manufacturing procedures in 1935 and became owned and created by American firms.
American personalities who like Vegemite
Although Vegemite is not that popular among American taste buds, there are some that could be said are pleased somehow with the taste. Brad Pitt claimed he doesn’t mind them on crackers while Ty Burrell (Modern Family) enjoyed it following an Aussie episode.
As a matter of fact, Ophra Winfrey gave a vegemite SAO biscuit during her Down Under show with Wolverine himself, Hugh Jackman. Just like former US president Barack Obama, she also likes the spread.
Additionally, singer Miley Cyrus wears a tattoo of a pot of Vegemite on her upper arm which could be a song for her love, Liam Hemsworth. It is one of the actor’s most cherished snacks.
Vegemite is so precious to Australians that they do not travel to other parts of the world without bringing even just a jar for fear of not finding one in groceries or supermarkets.
