Is Olipop Healthy?

There are several types of diet sodas currently on the market, making it hard for buyers to determine which ones are healthy and which aren’t. Olipop markets its soda as one of the healthiest alternatives you can consume (if not the healthiest). If you are here, you’re probably wondering whether they are as healthy as advertised. Read on to find out! But first:

More about Olipop

What is Olipop?

Olipop is a 12 oz canned soda made with alternative plant-based ingredients that mimic traditional, classic soda tastes. Each Olipop can contain about 32 % of the daily recommended fiber, has no artificial sweeteners like aspartame, and contains prebiotics that supports digestive health.

How did Olipop start?

Olipop was created by David Lester and Ben Goodwin, who’ve been in the consumer beverage industry for 10+ years. While Olipop may seem like an overnight success, the founders started in 2013 with Obi, their first prebiotic soda.

The pair exited in 2017 and decided to get back in the beverage industry if they found a way to surpass their first prebiotic beverage, Obi. Their previous experience in the beverage industry, paired with recent microbiome research advancements, helped them experiment with advanced formulas to create a better drink.

They experimented with advanced formulas, combined new gut-health ingredients, new-plant-based sweeteners, and prebiotics, and created Olipop. Since then, their soda has won many awards and captured several soda lovers impressed with how they can mimic classic sodas.

Olipop ingredients

Each Olipop can contains 2-5 grams of sugar, 6-7 grams of net carbs, 9 grams of fiber, and about 45 calories. The surprising fact is that each can contains more fiber than one cup of Raisin Bran Cereal.

Fiber is important since it slows down the digestion of starch and sugar at the same time. This helps prevent huge spikes of insulin and glucose in the blood, leading to weight gain, diabetes, etc. Fruits are rich in fiber and sugars, which is why people that consume a lot of fruit never seem to gain weight.

Olipop sodas have non-GMO, plant-based, organic ingredients used to boost gut health and create their sweet flavor profile. They also provide consumers with nutritional benefits that aren’t usually available in traditional sodas.

if we take the ingredients of the orange squeeze flavor listed in their website, they are as follows:

• Carbonated Water
• OLISMART
  • Cassava Root Fiber
  • Chicory Root Inulin
  • Jerusalem Artichoke Inulin
  • Nopal Cactus
  • Calendula Flower
  • Kudzu Root
  • Marshmallow Root
  • Slippery Elm Bark)
• Lemon Juice
• Apple Juice Concentrate
• Mandarin Juice Concentrate
• Cassava Root Syrup
• Clementine Juice Concentrate
• Rose Hip
• Acerola Cherry
• Stevia Leaf
• Himalayan Pink Salt
• Natural Orange Flavor (Extract)

What are probiotics?

These are live bacteria present inside our bodies and provide users with numerous benefits. Our digestive tract contains various types of good bacteria. The bacteria need nutrients from healthy foods to do their jobs efficiently. The probiotics present in Olipop soda provide the bacteria with essential nutrients they need for optimal performance.

Prebiotics

Our bodies can’t break down prebiotics. They move through the digestive tract into the large intestine, where good bacteria are present. The prebiotics are fermented unbroken down into useful compounds absorbed and assimilated by the body.

Here are the core ingredients present in most Olipop drinks.

Marshmallow Root

This herb is native to western Asia, Europe, and northern Africa. It has several uses, including pain relief, aiding digestion, and boosting skin health. The rood was once used to make marshmallows because of its sweet flavor.

Jerusalem Artichoke

This ingredient isn’t related to artichokes. It is a tuber that’s used to produce clean sugar. The ingredient can be consumed moderately without increasing glucose levels.

Calendula

This ingredient is often used in tea form. Recent research suggests that calendula has powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects.

Cassava root

Cassava root is part of the cassava shrub and is known for having lots of fiber and being starch resistant. Using this ingredient helps improve gut health and nurtures gut bacteria beneficial for a healthy digestive system.

Chicory root

Chicory roots contain prebiotic fiber inulin, whose studies have shown to improve bowel movements, support weight loss, and boost blood sugar control.

Kudzu root

Kudzu root is used as a medication in the eastern region of the globe. The root has various interesting benefits, including reducing alcohol dependence and alleviating symptoms of menopause.

Slippery Elm Bark

This tree is native to North America and is used to treat IBS, sore throats, and coughs.

Nopal Cactus

The Nopal Cactus has various anti-oxidants that reduce any damage caused by oxidation, including heart attacks, skin disease, etc. Additionally, a 2004 study also determined that the plant can prevent hangovers. Additionally, the soda contains juice that helps create the flavor and other miscellaneous ingredients like stevia and Himalayan pink salt, giving its flavor more sweetness and depth. However, does it have any side effects?

Side effects?

Each ingredient in an Olipop drink can present risky side effects or allergies. However, this doesn’t mean that the drink is unhealthy. For instance, allergies are determined by an individual’s reaction to a specific compound. Thus, it would be great to do your research by studying each ingredient to determine if you have any allergic reactions or experience any side effects.

Olipop Vs. Diet Sodas

Nutrition

Olipop is more nutritious than diet sodas. Most diet sodas have low carbs and calories with almost zero nutritional benefits. Olipop has a small sugar content and added fiber extracted from plant-based sources, making it the perfect healthy soda of the two.

Olipop nutritional facts

Taste: Draw

The differences and similarities in taste between Olipop and other sodas are subjective. Thus, there is a chance that you’ll enjoy Olipop’s flavor more than you do traditional sodas or find it unique.

Conclusion: Is it worth it?

If you’ve made it this far, you are quite interested in Olipop, and no one can blame you. Olipop is healthier compared to other brands and has received several positive reviews. The creators have been in the beverage field for quite a while now and are determined to create the best and healthiest soda.

They have succeeded with Olipop, having created a healthy alternative that contains fewer side effects than most carbonated drinks. Additionally, their vintage vibe in flavor and branding make Olipop unique and worth checking out. Go on, try it out, and tell us what flavor you loved most.

Have fun!

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