International Analysis of the Nutritional Content and a Review of Health Benefits of Non-Dairy Plant-Based Beverages
Concerns about environmental impact and sustainability, animal welfare, and personal health issues have fueled consumer demand for dairy alternatives. The aim of this study was to conduct a cross-sectional survey of plant-based non-dairy beverages from three different continents (USA, Australia, and...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-03-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/3/842 |
| _version_ | 1797414138209632256 |
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| author | Winston J. Craig Ujué Fresán |
| author_facet | Winston J. Craig Ujué Fresán |
| author_sort | Winston J. Craig |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Concerns about environmental impact and sustainability, animal welfare, and personal health issues have fueled consumer demand for dairy alternatives. The aim of this study was to conduct a cross-sectional survey of plant-based non-dairy beverages from three different continents (USA, Australia, and Western Europe) to assess their nutritional content and health profile. A total of 148 non-dairy beverages were analyzed from the nutrition label and ingredients listed on the commercial package or from the information located on the website of the manufacturer or retailer. The different types of beverages were extracts of nuts or seeds (<i>n</i> = 49), grains (<i>n</i> = 38), legumes (<i>n</i> = 36), coconut (<i>n</i> = 10), and mixed blends (<i>n</i> = 15). On average, the plant-based beverages generally scored well in terms of not containing high levels of sodium, saturated fat, or calories. Over half of the beverages were fortified with calcium to levels equal to or greater than that of dairy milk. The protein content varied from 0 to 10 g/serving. Levels of vitamin D and B12 fortification were quite low. Consumers should be informed of the nutritional profile and potential health benefits of plant-based dairy alternatives as the nutritional content can vary greatly between the different types of beverages. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:28:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e42316287b98452186eace5ec2f63cb9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:28:46Z |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-e42316287b98452186eace5ec2f63cb92023-12-03T12:34:52ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432021-03-0113384210.3390/nu13030842International Analysis of the Nutritional Content and a Review of Health Benefits of Non-Dairy Plant-Based BeveragesWinston J. Craig0Ujué Fresán1Center for Nutrition, Healthy Lifestyles, and Disease Prevention, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USAeHealth Group, Instituto de Salud Global Barcelona (ISGlobal), 08036 Barcelona, SpainConcerns about environmental impact and sustainability, animal welfare, and personal health issues have fueled consumer demand for dairy alternatives. The aim of this study was to conduct a cross-sectional survey of plant-based non-dairy beverages from three different continents (USA, Australia, and Western Europe) to assess their nutritional content and health profile. A total of 148 non-dairy beverages were analyzed from the nutrition label and ingredients listed on the commercial package or from the information located on the website of the manufacturer or retailer. The different types of beverages were extracts of nuts or seeds (<i>n</i> = 49), grains (<i>n</i> = 38), legumes (<i>n</i> = 36), coconut (<i>n</i> = 10), and mixed blends (<i>n</i> = 15). On average, the plant-based beverages generally scored well in terms of not containing high levels of sodium, saturated fat, or calories. Over half of the beverages were fortified with calcium to levels equal to or greater than that of dairy milk. The protein content varied from 0 to 10 g/serving. Levels of vitamin D and B12 fortification were quite low. Consumers should be informed of the nutritional profile and potential health benefits of plant-based dairy alternatives as the nutritional content can vary greatly between the different types of beverages.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/3/842plant-based non-dairy beveragesplant-based milksnutrient compositionfortificationcalciumvitamin D |
| spellingShingle | Winston J. Craig Ujué Fresán International Analysis of the Nutritional Content and a Review of Health Benefits of Non-Dairy Plant-Based Beverages Nutrients plant-based non-dairy beverages plant-based milks nutrient composition fortification calcium vitamin D |
| title | International Analysis of the Nutritional Content and a Review of Health Benefits of Non-Dairy Plant-Based Beverages |
| title_full | International Analysis of the Nutritional Content and a Review of Health Benefits of Non-Dairy Plant-Based Beverages |
| title_fullStr | International Analysis of the Nutritional Content and a Review of Health Benefits of Non-Dairy Plant-Based Beverages |
| title_full_unstemmed | International Analysis of the Nutritional Content and a Review of Health Benefits of Non-Dairy Plant-Based Beverages |
| title_short | International Analysis of the Nutritional Content and a Review of Health Benefits of Non-Dairy Plant-Based Beverages |
| title_sort | international analysis of the nutritional content and a review of health benefits of non dairy plant based beverages |
| topic | plant-based non-dairy beverages plant-based milks nutrient composition fortification calcium vitamin D |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/3/842 |
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