(NEXSTAR) — Move over sparkling waters and hard seltzers, there’s a new colorful, trendy drink taking over the beverage industry: prebiotic sodas.
There are entire brands dedicated to prebiotic soda, like startups Poppi and Olipop , which launched in the last decade but have quickly caught attention as alternatives to traditional soda. The market for prebiotic sodas has grown so much, in fact, that Coca-Cola recently launched its own line under the Simply brand.
“We found that consumers, especially wellness-focused Gen Z-ers and Millennials, were really interested in juice and prebiotic sodas,” Becca Kerr, CEO of Nutrition for The Coca‑Cola Company, said.
“And since many brands in this category are new, they were looking to align with names they know and trust for both quality and taste. This was particularly true for those curious about prebiotic sodas but who hadn’t yet taken the leap. We knew that in order to bring new drinkers into the category, we had to strike that perfect balance of innovation and trust.”
But let’s back up a moment: What are prebiotics?
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To understand prebiotics, you need to meet probiotics, the living microorganisms, in foods like yogurt, cheese, kefir, and fermented vegetables. Regularly consuming probiotics can help keep your intestinal environment functioning properly, according to Harvard Health .
Prebiotics, which our bodies cannot break down, serve as the food for the probiotics and other “good gut bacteria” to continue their work. Foods that are rich in fiber (think fruit, vegetables, and whole grains), as well as potatoes, bananas, and artichokes, are known to be desirable sustenance for probiotics in our systems.
Prebiotic sodas typically use the plant-based fiber inulin, often from agave or chicory root, according to Julia Zumpano, a registered dietitian with the Cleveland Clinic Center for Human Nutrition. Also found in other fruits, vegetables, and grains, inulin dissolves in water, meaning you won’t even notice it’s there. Bird flu found in rats for the first time: USDA Why have prebiotic sodas become so popular? There has been growing attention to gut health recently, Zumpano told […]
Prebiotic sodas: What are they, and why are they everywhere?
