Prebiotics, not to be confused with probiotics, are popping up everywhere, including in soda cans. Drinks like OLIPOP contain a whopping nine grams of fiber per serving, about a third of the recommended fiber intake for American adults. While these health benefits sound amazing on paper, emerging anecdotal stories from consumers complaining of some gastrointestinal distress symptoms like gas, bloating, and even pain suggest there are a few more things to consider before popping a tab on a prebiotic soda.
Unlike probiotics, which are the bacteria that fortify our gut with new healthy bugs, prebiotics—a fancy word for non-digestible fibers that serve as a food source for beneficial bacteria in the gut—essentially act as fuel for these bacteria, promoting their growth and activity in the gastrointestinal tract.
Prebiotics are typically…
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