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

 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.

  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.