Prebiotic soda sales pop in Tampa Bay. But are they good for your gut?
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Prebiotic soft drinks are popping off in Tampa Bay, 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 (2.4%) of metro Tampa Bay's $724.2 million in total soft drink sales from Feb. 2024 to Jan. 2025.
- But their popularity is bubbling up — spiking from $483,494 in sales in 2022 to $17.7 million over the last year.
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.
Go deeper: That "healthy" soda? Your gut might disagree