Application of medicinal plants for production of cold beverages

Medicinal plants as a valuable natural resource contain a wide range of secondary metabolites which could be used in the production of various types of drugs, flavors, fragrances, dyes, pesticides and food products such as beverages. According to the historical evidence plants have been the first and most available sources for the treatment of different diseases. Nowadays, the medicinal and health promoting effects of medicinal plants on human health have been widely studied. The consumption of herbal beverages as part of a balanced diet may improve the consumer health. Herbal teas and beverages are rich sources of natural bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, phenols, flavonoids, coumarins and anthocyanins. Various studies have shown that these compounds possess antioxidant, anti-radical, antimicrobial, anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory activities which could have significant effects on human health. In this study, an overview of bioactive compounds was presented. Furthermore, an introduction of common medicinal plants for the production of cold beverages was discussed.

Keywords:

Medicinal plants , beverage , bioactive compounds , functional , Health promoting