Prebiotic sodas have become all the rage, with assorted brands and flavors popping up every time you go to the grocery store. Replacing sugary sodas with a healthier option sounds fantastic, but are prebiotic sodas the best choice?
Designed to promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria, the fibers of prebiotics travel to and line your lower gut, in theory, helping your body digest food better. The prebiotic fiber used in most prebiotic sodas is called inulin, which you also consume when eating certain foods because it occurs naturally in some fruits, vegetables, and grains. In sodas, it dissolves and has zero taste.
While a better alternative than other sugar-laden sodas, prebiotic sodas are not a quick fix for poor eating habits. A healthy diet with foods naturally high in fiber, like broccoli, raspberries, black beans and other similar foods, is your best bet for good gut health. And just as important as what you do eat, it is important to avoid things like processed meats, which can impact the gut and increase your risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and colorectal cancer.
Prebiotic sodas have benefits for your gut, but the largest benefit is how little sugar one serving can have compared to the leading sodas. A traditional can of soda can have about 39 grams of sugar while a prebiotic soda could have about 5 grams of sugar. The fun flavors and taste of prebiotic sodas are enticing and help make the swap from regular sodas easier.
When it comes to choosing a better option to get your soda fix, prebiotic sodas may be a smart choice. The added fiber and prebiotics and significantly less sugar make them stand out, but moderation is the key. It is important not to disrupt your gut microbiome by overindulging. If you are concerned about your gut health or other dietary concerns, the dietitians at Baton Rouge General offer nutrition therapy and consultation to answer questions you may have and build a custom diet plan that works for you.