Bioactive (Poly)phenol Concentrations in Plant-Based Milk Alternatives in the US Market.

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Phytochemistry

Background:

• Plant-based milk alternatives (PBMAs) are popular dairy substitutes.
• The concentration of beneficial phytochemicals, specifically polyphenols, in PBMAs is not well-documented.
• Understanding polyphenol content is crucial for assessing the health impact of PBMAs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify and compare the polyphenol content across various types of PBMAs.
• To identify factors influencing polyphenol concentration in PBMAs, such as plant source, brand, and additives.
• To evaluate the contribution of PBMAs to dietary polyphenol intake.

Main Methods:

• Procurement of 27 PBMA products from 6 categories: almond, coconut, oat, pea, rice, and soy.
• Analysis of polyphenol content using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array with mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-MS).
• Calculation of polyphenol concentration per cup serving for comparison.

Main Results:

• Significant variation in polyphenol content was observed among PBMAs, influenced by plant source, brand, and flavorings.
• Soy milk exhibited the highest mean polyphenol concentration (91.9 ± 2.7 mg/cup), while rice milk had the lowest (0.9 ± 0.2 mg/cup).
• Almond milk, a popular choice, contained 12.1 ± 8.2 mg/cup, with most polyphenols originating from added flavorings.

Conclusions:

• PBMAs contain a diverse range of potentially bioactive polyphenols.
• The type of PBMA and its processing significantly affect polyphenol levels.
• PBMAs can be a notable source of dietary polyphenols, potentially influencing health outcomes.