Philadelphia's new soft-drink fad
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Prebiotic soft drinks are popping off in the Philadelphia region, 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.
What they're saying: 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.
- 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 drinks hauled in nearly $17.9 million in sales between February 2024 and January 2025 in the Philly region, snapping up 3.1% of the soft-drink market.
- That's up from 0.2% during the same stretch from 2021-22.
How it works: Eating prebiotics — food for gut bacteria — can be anti-inflammatory and "increase the good guys in your gut," Freuman says.
Yes, but: "You should be aiming to get your fiber from foods: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes," says Hannah Holscher, registered dietitian and associate professor of nutrition at University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.
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.