Whey Based Beverage: Its Functionality, Formulations, Health Benefits and Applications

Abstract

Ready-to-drink beverages offer the advantages of convenience and portability to today's busy consumers. Carbonation category includes both refrigerated and shelf-stable beverages, demand is stronger for shelf-stable products which offer ease of distribution and storage. Whey proteins are often the preferred source for ready-to-drink protein beverages because of their excellent nutritional qualities, bland flavor, ease of digestibility, and unique functionality in beverage systems. Five general trends have influenced food and beverage innovations since 1985: convenience, pleasure, ethnic fusion, tradition and importantly, health and wellness. Sales of energy drinks and ready-to-drinks have grown to $23 billion. Whey beverages are generally classified into four basic types: mixtures of whey (processed or unprocessed, including UF permeates) with fruit or (rarely) vegetable juices; dairy-type, 'thick' beverages (fermented or unfermented); thirst-quenching carbonated beverages (the 'Rivella-type'); and alcoholic beverages (beer, wine or liqueurs).