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Yoghurt will be ‘healthier’ if you keep the ‘liquid gold’ many discard of (stock image) (Image: Getty)
Yoghurt has long been named as one of the healthiest things you can have for breakfast, and for good reason. It contains high amounts of protein, calcium, and live probiotics that support strong bones, healthy digestion, and immune function. Plus, you have an endless number of toppings to add, meaning you can have enough variety to not get bored with it.
Yoghurt has also been linked to reducing the risk of heart disease, while also lower high blood pressure, and bowel cancer as it contains probiotics that are beneficial for the gut microbiome.
But if you’ve ever opened up a tub of yoghurt, you might have seen a layer of white liquid laying on top of the creamy yoghurt. While this might look unappealing, a doctor has urged people to eat it, calling it ‘liquid gold’.
To shed further light on the matter, Dr Amir Khan, an NHS doctor widely recognised for his appearances on ITV’s Lorraine and Good Morning Britain, outlined why you should leave this liquid in the pot, as it ranks amongst the most beneficial parts of the yoghurt.
“Guys, I just want to say, you know this watery stuff that develops on the top of yoghurt overnight and stuff? Don’t throw it away,” he urged viewers.
What is the white liquid on yoghurt?
“I know it looks a bit odd, but it’s actually meant to be there, and it’s called liquid whey, and it naturally separates out from the yoghurt because yoghurt is a fermented food,” Dr Amir explained. He explained that many people throw it away without appreciating that it is packed with health benefits — so much so that he describes it as ‘liquid gold’ for our overall wellbeing.
“Nothing’s spoiled, nothing is split, nothing is bad, it’s not fat,” Dr Amir reassured viewers, adding that it’s actually packed with protein.
The watery liquid that sits on top of yoghurt is known as whey. Milk contains two primary types of protein: whey and casein.
When milk is cultured into yoghurt, the casein protein solidifies, creating the thick consistency of yoghurt.
Meanwhile, whey protein stays in liquid form through a process known as syneresis. This liquid is entirely safe to consume and does not suggest that the yoghurt has gone off.
It consists largely of water, but is also rich in beneficial nutrients, including protein, calcium, potassium and B vitamins, while also being particularly beneficial for gut health.
Health benefits of eating whey protein
Research suggests that adding whey protein to your regular diet can assist in building muscle mass, supporting hormone production and maintaining bone density.
Furthermore, when paired with a balanced diet and a regular exercise regime, it can aid healthy, sustainable weight loss.
Whey protein also delivers a substantial amount of protein (typically 20–30 grams per serving) with minimal additional fat or carbohydrate, particularly in isolate form, while also slowing digestion and helping to curb overall daily food consumption. “So don’t pour it down the sink. I know it’s really tempting. You’re literally tipping away nutrients your body can use,” Dr Amir said.
“So just instead, 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 Amir urged viewers.
It’s perhaps the most versatile product sitting in your fridge. Yoghurt is a staple in 90 per cent of UK households, bought 2.7 billion times a year across the country.
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Daily habits could increase your dementia risk (Image: Getty)
Around a quarter of UK adults over the age of 40 cannot name any habits or health conditions that increase their risk of dementia, according to new research by the Alzheimer’s Society. The study indicates that millions of Brits lack the knowledge to take effective steps to reduce their risk of developing the disease. It estimates that close to one million people in the UK are living with dementia, with around a third living without a formal diagnosis.
That figure is expected to increase to around 1.4 million by 2040, with the Alzheimer’s Society sharing the everyday habits and health conditions that increase a person’s risk of developing dementia. It comes as a poll of 1,393 people in the UK, conducted on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society, found that 26% could not name a single risk factor.
Everyday lifestyle choices and habits that are known to increase a person’s risk of dementia include:
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Physical inactivity
- Smoking
- Infrequent social interaction.
Meanwhile, other factors and health conditions that could increase a person’s risk of dementia include:
- Air pollution
- Obesity
- Head injury
- Hypertension
- Vision loss
- Diabetes
- Less education
- Depression
- Hearing impairment
- High cholesterol.
The research found that fewer than a third (32%) of people knew that high blood pressure could increase their dementia risk.
Smoking is among the habits that increase a person’s risk of developing dementia (Image: Getty)
Michelle Dyson, chief executive at the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “These new findings show that many people are not aware of the factors they can influence to help reduce their risk of developing dementia, the UK’s biggest killer.
“As a result, millions of people are missing the chance to take simple steps today that could help protect their brain health tomorrow, from getting their hearing checked to managing their blood pressure.
“By helping people to understand their risks and the actions they can take, we have a meaningful opportunity to reduce the number of people affected by dementia in the future.”
Professor Ian Maidment, a professor in clinical pharmacy at Aston University, said: “Many people understandably live in fear of dementia.
“But there are many things that we can do to reduce the risk of dementia, including exercise, not smoking, alcohol in moderation and managing diseases such as high blood pressure and raised cholesterol.
“The key message is: what is good for the heart is good for the head. This message needs to be communicated in accessible ways to a diverse audience; social media has a key role.”
David Thomas, head of policy and public affairs at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said that the research highlights a gap in knowledge around dementia in Britain.
“The question is no longer whether awareness is too low – that’s been established,” he said. “But what can be done to help people understand how to keep their brains healthy and reduce their risk of dementia.
“We are calling on the Government to introduce a national dementia risk reduction campaign delivered through the NHS, so people can access clear, evidence-based information about protecting their brain health.”