(Nexstar) – Move over sparkling water and hard seltzer, you'll find a new colorful and trendy drink that takes over the drink industry: prebiotic soda.
Like a startup, there is an entire brand dedicated to prebiotic sodas Poppi and OripopIt was released over the past decade, but quickly attracted attention as an alternative to traditional soda. The market for prebiotic sodas is growing very much. In fact, Coca-Cola recently Release Unique lines under the Simply brand.
“We've found that consumers, particularly the health-focused Gen Z-ers and millennials, are really interested in juice and prebiotic sodas,” says Becca, CEO of Nutrition at Coca-Cola Company. Kerr said. “And since many brands in this category are new, they were trying to match names they know and trust in both quality and taste. This is what we would expect to see if they're interested in prebiotic sodas. This was especially true, but we hadn't jumped yet. We knew. In order to introduce new drinkers into the category, we had to find a perfect balance between innovation and trust. ”
But let's back up a bit: What is Prebiotics?
What is Prebiotics?
To understand prebiotics, you need to meet probiotics, live microorganisms and fermented vegetables in foods such as yogurt, cheese, kefir and fermented vegetables. Consuming probiotics regularly helps to ensure that your gut environment works properly. Harvard Health.
Prebiotics that our bodies can't break down act as food for probiotics and other “good gut bacteria” and continue to work. Fiber-rich foods (think fruits, vegetables, whole grains), potatoes, bananas, artichokes, It's known Become a desirable nutrition for the probiotics within our system.
Prebiotic sodas usually use plant-based fiber inulin. According to Julia Zun Pano, registered dietitian at the Human Nutrition Center at Cleveland Clinic Center. Inulin, which is also found in other fruits, vegetables and grains, is soluble in water. This means you don't realize that it's there.
Why are prebiotic sodas so popular?
Recently, attention has been increasingly focused on gut health, Zumpano told Nexstar via email.
For example, consider kombucha, a fermented drink that became popular in the late 2010s. You will be billed for beneficial Digestion, weight loss, and heart health. There was also a (almost unproven) trend of health that was handed over to Tiktok. “Parasite Cleansing” which gained traction last summer.
Data compiled by consulting firm AlixPartners and released last year was published in 2023. Sales of prebiotic and probiotic drinks in particular in the US are three times more than 3 times more prebiotic drinks and probiotic drinks.
Is a prebiotic drink worth it?
This depends. They may serve as special treats “Guilty-free dul” However, they should not rely on you regularly for your gut health.
Inulin, which is usually used in prebiotic soda, is considered beneficial to our diet, but it is unclear how it is beneficial. 2024, Popi was sued Consumers who advocate for prebiotic sodas do not improve gut health as much as marketing suggests. The lawsuit argued that the amount of agave inulin fiber in the soda pre-biotic was insufficient. To enjoy the benefits of it, consumers must drink so many poppi sodas, so increased sugar consumption increases the benefits.
Zumpano recommends checking the sugar content of prebiotic drinks.
“These drinks may contain a lot of sugar that isn't good for your overall health,” she explains, limiting intake and choosing prebiotic foods the most frequently I add that it is best.
Prebiotic soda is considered healthier than traditional soda. This can also be useful if you are trying to stop the consumption of soft drinks.
Fiber is important to our diet, but too often we also experience side effects. This includes bloating, diarrhea, flatulence and gas pain. If you want to add fiber to your diet, Zumpano I encourage you I'm taking it slowly. People who have experienced chronic digestive conditions like Crohn's disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) may also want to be wary of prebiotic sodas. Blog post.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
