Prebiotics as functional ingredients in beverages: A comprehensive review of health benefits and applications

• Prebiotics are indigestible fibres that promote the growth of probiotic microorganisms. • Prebiotics resist stomach acids, bile salts, and intestinal enzymes. • Prebiotic effects are attributed to their metabolic interactions with gut bacteria. • Prebiotics regulate bowel movements and maintain a balanced gut microbiome. Prebiotics are a unique class of indigestible carbohydrates that resist breakdown by human intestinal enzymes and selectively promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the human gut. Natural sources of prebiotics include commonly available fruits, such as apples, pears, and blueberries, as well as vegetables like onions and garlic. While whole fruits contain a significant amount of natural dietary fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, fruit juices and juice-based beverages often lack these nutrients due to the processing involved. Therefore, the growing consumption of fruit juice-based beverages highlights the need to fortify these products with prebiotics to improve gut health. Inulin, resistant starch, oligofructose, pectin, and various fructo-oligosaccharides can be effectively utilized to enhance the health-promoting properties of these beverages. Fortification not only improves the fibre content of beverages but also contributes to digestive health by promoting the growth of probiotics, enhancing mineral absorption, supporting weight maintenance, and providing antidiabetic benefits. This review emphasizes the application of naturally derived prebiotics from fruits and vegetables in the formulation of functional beverages. The study further assesses the impact of prebiotic fortification on gut health, addresses key considerations and formulation challenges, and explores the potential for commercialization of fortified fruit-based beverages.