Plant-based milk substitutes as probiotic vehicles: Health effect and survival, a review

Abstract

The use of plant extracts or nondairy milk alternatives as a substitute for Cow's milk in the formulation of foods that function as vehicles for the consumption of probiotics has become popular. This substitution aims to formulate food products without lactose, low in fat, and, therefore, low in calories. Additionally, they can enter vegan or vegetarian markets. The use of these vegetable extracts has been explored for the development of probiotic foods that confer health benefits without cow milk allergy. However, few studies support that replacing Cow's milk in these foods allows probiotics to remain viable during storage, survive the digestive tract sufficiently, and reach their colonization site. Additionally, even fewer clinical studies in human or animal model assays have analyzed the impact of probiotic foods formulated with plant extracts.