Much is said about how yoghurt is good for you. Thicker and creamier than regular yoghurt, Greek yoghurt is even healthier, with less sugar and about twice as much protein. It’s good for your gut and keeps you full longer.
There’s a lot to like about yoghurt, perhaps except for the strange layer of liquid that separates from it. Not to worry, that liquid, a natural byproduct called acid whey. It’s completely safe to eat, and in fact, you’d be better off for it. Dr Amir Khan, a GP and regular guest on Good Morning Britain and Lorraine, says your body will thank you for not tossing it down the drain. He urged: “Don’t throw it away. I know it looks a bit odd but it’s actually meant to be there.”
Is the liquid in yoghurt okay to eat?
If you’ve ever opened a yoghurt and noticed a pool of liquid inside the pot, do not be alarmed, said the GP.
In a video shared on his social media channels, he said: “It’s called liquid whey and it naturally separates out from the yoghurt because yoghurt is a fermented food. Nothing’s spoiled, nothing has split, nothing is bad, it’s not fat.
“It’s actually where a lot of the nutrition lies, this kind of liquidy stuff here.”
“I feel seen, tipping it down the sink,” admitted one viewer in an Instagram comment. Another replied: “Who throws that out? I just stir it back in before I eat the yoghurt.”
One person joked: “Shouldn’t the caption be ‘don’t throw this a-whey’??”
Why the liquid in your yoghurt is good for you
Liquid whey naturally separates from yoghurt. It’s perfectly safe to eat. Dr Khan listed the various benefits of liquid whey: protein, calcium, potassium, and B vitamins.
“It’s really good for your gut health, so don’t pour it down the sink — I know it’s tempting,” he added.
“You’re literally tipping away nutrients your body can use so just mix it into the yoghurt and it is really, really good for you. It’s just normal fermentation, that’s what yoghurt is.
“Anyway, mix it in, don’t throw it away and your body will thank you.”
Dr Joseph Salhab, an American gastroenterologist, echoed Dr Khan’s advice. “Don’t pour this part of the yoghurt out. It’s one of the most nutritious parts. It’s just whey protein that’s separated itself out. All you gotta do is mix it back in and enjoy.”
How to know if your yoghurt has gone bad
Nobody wants to eat mouldy yoghurt. Here are a few signs it’s gone bad:
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
