Experts warn that ingredients found in popular “gut healthy” sodas advertised by celebrities can lead to digestive problems and cancer. Daily Mail.
Sodas such as Popi and Olipop, which are healthy alternatives to traditional soda and claim to promote inflammation while increasing good intestinal bacteria while reducing inflammation, contain inulin, which helps to “supply” healthy bacteria in the intestinal microbiome by improving digestion by regulating intestinal movement and preventing deposits.
The ingredients are also linked to increased risk of liver or colon cancer, and doctors have emphasized that more research is needed, but warn that regular consumption can be disastrous. The warning came months after Poppi, a brand that was acquired by PepsiCo for $1.95 billion, and was sued for $5 million over allegations that its fiber content was too low and “misunderstood” consumers to make a profit.
“Regular consumption of inulin grams in supplements, drinks and inulin concentrates can increase the risk of cancer by attenuating anti-tumor immunity,” he said. Andrew GiwatutsuProfessor of Biomedical Sciences at Georgia State University; axios.
“It’s unlikely that sometimes cans cause major harm,” he added. “It’s regular consumption that I’m not sure I’m safe.”
According to data from Nielseniq, sales of prebiotic soft drinks rose from $33 million in January 2022 to $777 million in January 2025. axios.
