That's a Lot of Beef For a Prebiotic Soda
The prebiotic sodas are beefing, and tensions are bubbling over. The drama begins with a handful of fuchsia vending machines. In preparation for Super Bowl LIX, Poppi — a prebiotic soda brand known for its aesthetic packaging and fun flavors — made the decision to deliver impeccably branded machines to several well-known influencers. While the stunt certainly delivered on the shock value, it also struck a nerve with commenters.
"It's very out of touch, excessive, and not sustainable at all," one commenter wrote on TikTok. "Why couldn't Poppi just send the vending machines to colleges, hospitals, police stations, or fire stations?" another asked in a video with more than 50K likes. (A representative for the brand later confirmed with PS that the machines were on loan for Super Bowl viewing parties and were never intended to be gifts.)
Amid all the backlash, Olipop — Poppi's direct competitor — was quick to chime in. "For the record, those machines cost $25K each lol," the rival prebiotic soda brand wrote under a TikTok critiquing the Poppi vending machines. In a separate video, Olipop brought up the cost of its competitor's Super Bowl ad: "It's $8M per 30 seconds, and it was a 60 second ad sooo," Olipop commented. For what it's worth, Poppi claims this number was "inflated by 60 percent," according to the brand rep. We reached out to Olipop for comment on the controversy and did not immediately hear back.
For those of us with no real stake in the game, it feels like we're meant to pick a side in the prebiotic soda skirmish. But looking at things from a nutritional standpoint: Are there any real winners here? To find out more, we spoke with a registered dietitian and asked which soda is actually better for you. Read on to see what she had to say.
Experts Featured in This Article:
Sarah Glinski, RD, is a Canada-based dietitian specializing in gut health.
Which Prebiotic Soda Is Better?
"Poppi and Olipop are both soda alternatives with added prebiotics, a type of fiber that acts as food for your good gut bacteria," says dietitian Sarah Glinski, RD. That said, there are a few differences between the two brands that you may want to consider:
- Caloric content: Both brands are comparable in sugar content at around 5 grams or less per can, Glinski says. "But Olipop is slightly higher in calories, at around 35 to 50 calories per can." It's not a huge departure from Poppi's 25-calorie cans, but it's worth mentioning.
- Ingredients: Poppi uses agave inulin as its prebiotic, while the original Olipop uses a blend of cassava root fiber, chicory root inulin, Jerusalem artichoke inulin, Nopal cactus, marshmallow root, calendula flower, and kudzu root, Glinski says. This means that Olipop generally needs to be refrigerated, while Poppi does not.
- Amount of fiber: This is where the biggest difference lies. "Olipop contains significantly more fiber than Poppi, at around 9 grams per can," Glinski says. Some flavors, like Olipop's recently released Pantry Ready Line, have slightly less fiber, with only about 6 grams per can. Most cans of Poppi, however, contain only 2 grams of fiber. This was a key point in Poppi's class-action consumer-fraud lawsuit, which alleged that those 2 grams weren't enough to deliver "meaningful gut health benefits."
- Caffeine: Some Olipop flavors contain caffeine from green tea, Glinski says. This might be a con for those sensitive to caffeine, but a pro if you're looking for an extra boost of energy throughout the day.
What to Consider
Given all the recent controversy, which soda should you reach for? The answer may vary depending on your specific circumstances. "While Olipop may seem like the better option at first glance, thanks to its much higher fiber content, there are a few drawbacks," Glinski says. "Having 9 grams of fiber all at once can cause digestive discomfort if you're not used to eating that much fiber. For those whose current fiber intake is low, Poppi may be a gentler option."
Taste is also a huge consideration; let's not forget that these drinks are meant to be soda alternatives. If you have a strong preference for one brand over another, that's another valid factor.
Glinski also notes that both sodas may be troublesome for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to an ingredient called inulin. "Inulin is a type of FODMAP (fermentable carbohydrate) that can trigger gut symptoms like gas and bloating — especially in sensitive individuals," she says. "If you have IBS and are interested in trying these beverages, start with a smaller portion and monitor any gut symptoms that arise."
The Bottom Line
We can't tell you how to feel about Poppi's marketing tactics. But speaking strictly on nutrition, you can't go wrong with either brand. "Overall, both Poppi and Olipop are good alternatives to regular soda," Glinski confirms, adding that they're both lower in sugar and calories, which is better for your blood sugar levels and dental health. "If I had to pick one as the best, I'd choose Olipop because it contains more fiber," Glinski says. "However, if you're not used to eating a lot of fiber, start with half a can for a few days while your body gets used to the added fiber."
Now that you know the prebiotic soda basics, we encourage you to make your own informed decisions. But should a vending machine ever arrive at your doorstep . . . don't say we didn't warn you.
Chandler Plante (she/her) is an assistant health and fitness editor for PS. She has over four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group.