Abstract: The present invention provides an effective means for improving the dispersibility of sediments or aggregates of microbial cells generated at the time of production and during storage of a food or beverage product containing microbial cells such as lactic acid bacteria. The present invention provides a beverage that contains microbial cells comprising (A) microbial cell powder and (B) polyglycerin fatty acid ester composed of polyglycerin having a polymerization degree of 3 to 10 and fatty acid having 10 to 18 carbon atoms connected by ester bonds.

Abstract: Provided is a thirst-quencher-like acidic milk-based beverage and a method for producing the same, of which white turbidity typical of milk-based beverages is suppressed, which provide milkiness characteristic of milk-based beverages, and which has the appearance desired of sports drinks. The acidic milk-based beverage contains milk, a stabilizer of milk protein, and water, and the solid non-fat content thereof is 0.15 to 0.4 mass %, and the pH is not higher than 4.0. In particular, by controlling the lightness L to 25 to 47 in the Hunter Lab color space, the beverage made be useful as a thirst quencher beverage.