ATUKUNDA, CLAIRE2026-07-062026-07-062023http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14270/872Non-carbonated beverages comprise of fruit, vegetable, and herbal-based drinks, which are largely known as ‘health drinks’ in Uganda and are widely consumed in Southwestern Uganda. Despite the increased popularity of health drinks on the Ugandan market, particularly in Southwestern Uganda, little is known about: (ⅰ) their antioxidant potential; (ⅱ) consumer perceptions of the healthiness and safety of beverages; and (ⅲ) the influence of nutritional health claims (that are widely used on health drinks) on consumption. Thus, the objective of the study was to examine the antioxidant potential and factors associated with the consumption of health drinks in Southwestern Uganda. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 278 adults in Mbarara City and Sheema district using structured questionnaires. Laboratory analysis of vitamin C, total phenolic content, and total antioxidant activity of selected health drinks was conducted using 2,6-dichlorophenoindophenol (DCPIP), Folin-Ciocalteu, and 2,2- diphenyl- 1 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays respectively. Results showed variations in the vitamin C content (14.19-25.12mg/100ml), total phenolic content (0.37-146.01mg/100ml), and total antioxidant activity (35.48-2491.8 µg/ml) of the different health drinks depending on the type of ingredients used. Theoretical calculations showed that consumption of 320 ml of health drinks would be sufficient to meet the vitamin C intake recommendations and about 40% polyphenol intake recommendations for a healthy life. Majority of the consumers had positive perceptions of beverage healthiness (77.4%) and safety (66.2%). Product health benefits, safety, and information influenced perceived healthiness while perceived safety was influenced by regulatory logos, organoleptic cues, age, gender, household income, and perceived healthiness (p≤0.05). Nutritional health claims influenced about half the respondents to consume health drinks (49.3%). Particularly, nutritional health claims in media advertisements had a significantly higher positive influence on intention to consume than claims on food labels (p=0.019). Besides the claims, perceived xii healthiness and safety also positively influenced consumption intentions. The results of this study demonstrated that (ⅰ) health drinks consumed in Southwestern Uganda are alternative sources of antioxidants for which consumption can lead to substantial contributions to the recommended vitamin C and polyphenol intake; (ⅱ) perceptions of beverage healthiness and safety are important factors that can be exploited to boost consumption of health drinks; and (ⅲ) nutritional health claims can enhance consumption of non-carbonated (health) drinks and are more effective when presented through media advertisements than when presented on food labels.enAntioxidantsHealth drinksNutritional health claimsConsumer perceptionsSouth Western Uganda.Thesis