A gut-check on SLC's "healthy" soda craze

Threat level: 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 inulin regularly "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.

Zoom in: Folks in the Salt Lake metro are more likely to buy a prebiotic beverage, compared to the average national consumer, according to NielsenIQ.

By the numbers: Prebiotic drinks made up nearly 3% of last year's soft drink sales in Salt Lake, above the national average of 2.4%

• The share of soft drink sales from February 2024 through January 2025 almost doubled the share from the year before.

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.

Although inulin can feed good gut bacteria, the byproducts of it — short chain fatty acids — might also help pathogens grow, said Gewirtz.

• "Further studies are needed to help identify who might benefit from it and who should avoid it," he says.

What they're saying: "Like any fiber, inulin may cause temporary digestive discomfort as the body adjusts to increased fiber intake," Olipop told Axios in a statement. "That's why both nutrition experts and OLIPOP recommend starting with one can and gradually increasing over time."

• The statement emphasized that Olipop offers more fiber than other prebiotic sodas, and that inulin is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA.

As for Poppi, it denied the claim made in a class-action lawsuit that its marketing overstated the amount of prebiotic fiber and gut health benefits the drink offers.

• But in March, the company agreed to a settlement that includes an $8.9 million fund for payments to consumers, ahead of a hearing set for May 8, the Associated Press reported.
• Poppi didn't immediately respond to Axios' requests for comment.

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," Holscher says.

What we're watching: Beyond prebiotics, "functional" drink brands now also market beverages with ingredients for better skin, boosted vibes and balanced blood sugar.