Prebiotic soft drinks seem to be this year’s nonalcoholic drink of choice. Influencers are sipping them on social media , celebrities are endorsing them at pop-ups and their brands are even sponsoring sports clubs . Beyond colourful cans, enticing flavours (guava rose, banana cream) and low sugar contents, these beverages have been turning heads because of what they promise : a healthier gut.
But is it true? Prebiotic sodas like Poppi have gone viral online for their taste and health benefits. But are they actually that good for you? Credit: AP In May, a San Francisco woman filed a lawsuit against US prebiotic soda manufacturer Poppi, citing misleading information about the drink’s gut health benefits. Poppi called the suit “baseless” and is prepared to defend itself against the allegations.
Nonetheless, it has triggered conversations around the true benefits of these popular fizzy drinks. What are prebiotics? Prebiotics are a type of fibre that “feed” the healthy bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, including the large intestine and colon, says RMIT nutrition scientist Dr Jessica Danaher. Loading “To be classified as a prebiotic, the fibre must pass through the gastrointestinal tract undigested and promote the growth or activity of good bacteria in the large intestine,” she says.
Examples of prebiotics include inulin, fructo-oligosaccharides and galacto-oligosaccharides. Stephen Keenan, a dietitian and lecturer at Swinburne, says these are commonly found i.
