Currently, consumers are demanding natural products, with low sugar content and high nutritional and sensory qualities. Natural beverages have taken an important place due to their mineral, vitamin, and antioxidant contents. Phenolic compounds have great relevance for food industries for their functional properties acting as good antioxidant molecules as well as aging retarders and preventing degenerative diseases. In this connection, design of functional beverages rich in phenolic compounds has been related to the acceptability, quality, and safety for consumers; however, sensory properties regarding influence of these compounds are still poorly investigated. Recent works have been conducted in order to highlight the impact of phenolics on sensory properties of natural beverages. This chapter discusses the relationship between sensory quality and the phenolic compounds in natural beverages. The antioxidant properties, methods, and statistical analysis for sensory evaluation are also reviewed.
Part of the book: Antioxidants in Foods and Its Applications