Plant-based milk substitutes as a halal drink: health-associated and environmental effects

Nabizadeh, Atena; Ehsani Zadeh, Melika; Fattahi Maryamabadi, Hourie; Salimi, Boshra; Shojaan, Negin; Mansourian, Mohammad-Hossein; Hashempour, Fataneh

doi:10.30502/h.2023.412712.1124

Plant-based milk substitutes as a halal drink: health-associated and environmental effects

Document Type : Review articles

Authors

atena nabizadeh ¹

melika ehsani zadeh ¹

Hourie Fattahi Maryamabadi ²

boshra salimi ²

Negin Shojaan ²

Mohammad-Hossein Mansourian ²

fataneh hashempour ³

¹ 1- College of Food Science and Technology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

² College of Food Science and Technology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

³ Halal Research Center of IRI, Iran Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran.

10.30502/h.2023.412712.1124

Abstract

Background and objective: Consumption of plant-based milk substitutes has spread rapidly around the world due to its positive health effects on the human body. It is preferred by those are allergic to cow milk and people suffering from lactose intolerance. On the other hand, there is no concern about halal status of these products by using plant sources in their preparation. In this study, we have reviewed the health effects and the environmental impacts of plant-based milk substitutes.
Results and conclusion: Plant-based milk substitutes have several benefits for human. They included to improvement of the cardiovascular system’s function, reducing the incidence of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancers, and positive effect on the immune system. Although, their negative effects such as deficiency and lower bioavailability of some nutrients than cow milk, and also possibility of dental decay due to their high sugar content are of concern. Moreover, these plant-based drinks have low impact on the environment, climate, and biodiversity. In general, despite the high sugar and insufficient protein content, presence of phenolic compounds, unsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds such as phytosterols and isoflavones makes the plant-based milk substitutes an excellent candidate in the diet especially for vegetarians and Muslims as halal drink.

Keywords

Milk allergy

Lactose intolerance

Plant-based milk substitute

Halal drink

Vegetarian

Subjects