Yogurt [Herald DB]
Yogurt [Herald DB]

A British doctor is urging people not to pour away the clear liquid that pools on top of yogurt — and to stir it back in instead.

Dr. Amir Khan, a general practitioner with Britain's National Health Service, recently took to Instagram to warn against discarding the liquid that forms on the surface of yogurt.

Khan said the watery substance is liquid whey, which can form naturally when yogurt is left overnight or stored for a period of time. He added that its presence is not a sign the yogurt has gone bad.

"It might look strange, but it's supposed to be there," he said. "Nothing has gone off, and nothing is wrong."

He went on to explain that whey is rich in nutrients the body needs — including protein, calcium, potassium and B vitamins — and is also good for gut health. Khan likened it to "liquid gold" and urged people not to pour it down the sink.

"That liquid contains a lot of the nutrients our bodies need," he said. "Just stir it back into the yogurt and eat it."

It is common to open a container of yogurt and find a clear liquid sitting on the surface. Many people assume it means the yogurt has spoiled and throw it away, but Khan said it is whey produced naturally during the fermentation process.

As long as the yogurt smells and looks normal, there is no reason to discard the liquid. Simply stir it back into the yogurt before eating.


bbo@heraldcorp.com