Probiotics in plant-based food matrices: A review of their health benefits

Background: Plant-based food matrices have been increasingly used as vehicles for probiotics due to their high nutritional and bioactive value. Therefore, this review summarizes the health benefits of plant-based food matrices probiotics focusing on in vitro and in vivo studies. Methods: A narrative literature review was performed to select articles published between 2015 and 2024. The Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, PubMed, and EMBASE scientific databases were used. Full articles that evaluated the health benefits of consuming plant-based food matrices probiotics performed in vitro and in vivo (animal models and clinical trials in humans) were selected. Results: From the scientific evidence, it was possible to highlight the health benefits of probiotics in plant-based food matrices and their association with bioactive compounds treating various diseases, proving beneficial effects in treating cancer, liver diseases, obesity, and related chronic diseases and inflammatory diseases. However, it was noted that clinical trials are still needed to confirm these effects in humans. Conclusions: Plant-based food matrices probiotics have proven beneficial effects in various diseases based on in vitro and animal model studies. However, clinical trials are needed to confirm these effects.