Prebiotic soda sales pop in metro Atlanta. But are they good for your gut?
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Prebiotic soft drinks are popping off in metro Atlanta, but they're not "gut-friendly" for everyone.
Why it matters: Gut experts warn about risks of consuming inulin, the fiber typically found in prebiotic sodas.
- It can cause bloating and be "incredibly difficult to tolerate," especially for those with conditions like IBS, says Tamara Duker Freuman, a dietitian and author.
- And consuming regular inulin "may increase risk of cancer, potentially by dampening anti-tumor immunity," according to Andrew Gewirtz — a biomedical science professor at Georgia State University who's conducted early animal studies and a case report about inulin.
By the numbers: Prebiotic sodas made up just a fraction (2.8%) of metro Atlanta's $730.4 million in total soft drink sales from Feb. 2024 to Jan. 2025.
- But their popularity is bubbling up — spiking from $606,836 in sales in 2022 to $20.8 million over the last year.
Zoom in: Atlantans are more likely to buy a prebiotic beverage, compared to the average national consumer, according to NielsenIQ.
Reality check: Less than 10% of American adults get the daily recommended amount of fiber, and many Americans regularly drink sugary soda — which has links to a host of health risks.
- Substituting a prebiotic soda in place of a higher-sugar one "could be a good, helpful swap" and "help bridge the fiber gap," Hannah Holscher, registered dietitian and associate professor of nutrition at University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign says.
The bottom line: Aim for a diverse diet that includes naturally fibrous foods — but if you crave soda, don't go overboard with the prebiotic drinks.