A review on current scenario and key challenges of plant-based functional beverages

Bovine milk has been an indispensable part of the human diet for ages. But the consumption of plant-based beverages has gained significant attention in recent years due to the increasing demand for non-dairy and non-animal protein sources owing to lactose intolerance, allergies, and diverse lifestyles. Moreover, plant-based beverages offer a diverse source of bioactive compounds having appreciable antioxidant activities. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the current scenario of plant-based beverages, including their market trends, bioactive compounds, and health benefits. This review article aims to detail the available types of plant-based beverages and their nutritional properties. Moreover, the key challenges associated with the processing of plant-based beverages including physical stability, off-flavour, antinutrient content and nutrition imbalance are discussed. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for further research and development in plant-based beverages to overcome the current challenges and meet the growing demand for sustainable and healthy food options.