Pepsi launches its own prebiotic soda, available in stores early 2026
PepsiCo announced its Pepsi Prebiotic Cola on Monday, July 21. One 12-ounce can of the new drink will contain five grams of cane sugar, 30 calories and three grams of prebiotic fiber. Pepsi Prebiotic Cola will be available starting this fall in Original Cola and Cherry Vanilla, according to a PepsiCo news release.
Prebiotic soda has boomed in recent years with popular brands like Poppi, Olipop and Bloom. The soft drinks, served in bright, colorful cans, are promoted as healthy for the gut and better for consumers than traditional sodas. While dietitians agree with the latter, the drinks shouldn't be expected to cure gut health on their own.
Pepsi Prebiotic Cola comes just a few months after PepsiCo announced the acquisition of Poppi for $1.95 billion and Coca-Cola announced Simply Pop, its own line of prebiotic soft drinks.
Are prebiotic sodas like Poppi healthy? Here's what dietitians say
When will Pepsi Prebiotic Cola be available in stores?
Pepsi Prebiotic Cola will be available online this fall and in retailers in early 2026, according to a news release. The prebiotic soda will be available in single 12-ounce cans and 8-packs of 12-ounce cans.
What is prebiotic soda?
Prebiotic sodas first gained traction in 2018, with the release of popular brands Poppi and Olipop. Prebiotics are plant fibers that serve as food for the body's microbiome – the body's good bacteria, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Most prebiotic sodas contain between two to nine grams of prebiotic fiber per can, while the recommended daily value for fiber is between 25 to 38 grams per day, the Cleveland Clinic states.
Is prebiotic soda good for you?
The answer isn't so black and white and research remains premature. Prebiotic sodas are better than traditional sodas, but they shouldn't be expected to provide much gut-healing benefits, Jessica Alfano, a clinical dietitian at New York's Huntington Hospital, previously told USA TODAY.
While a can of prebiotic soda won't make someone consume more than the recommended daily value of fiber, too much can cause bloating, diarrhea and gas, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
To reach the recommended daily value for fiber, Alfano recommended eating kimchi, sauerkraut, fermented pickles and fruits and vegetables.
Contributing: Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
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