Tuesday, October 1, 2024

TO DRINK OR NOT TO DRINK; THAT IS THE QUESTION

 

You may have noticed prebiotic or probiotic “sodas” like Olipop or Poppi in your local grocery store. Should you consume these drinks? Are they helpful to your overall health? Read on!

You may recall from one of my recent blogs (https://lisaprincenutritionexpert.blogspot.com/2024/03/probiotics-and-prebiotics-what-are-they.html) prebiotics are undigestible fibers found in certain foods. These fibers are fermented by the bacteria living in your gut, which benefits the growth of healthy bacteria. Probiotics are naturally occurring bacteria found in already fermented foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, miso, and kombucha.

Prebiotic sodas are carbonated drinks that contain prebiotic fibers. Probiotic sodas are drinks that contain live, beneficial bacteria that can help support digestive health. However, the FDA has not approved any health claims for these beverages. Are they better for you than a traditional can of soda? Absolutely, as long as you read the label and don’t purchase one with a lot of sugar added. Will they actually help your digestion, or as some claim, aid in weight loss, lower your cholesterol, and boost your immune system? That has yet to be proven. However, we do know that they can add healthy bacteria to your body and they do contain a variety of vitamins and minerals such as calcium.

If you want to give one a try you might like: Poppi Ginger Lime with 20 calories, 4 grams of sugar and 2 grams of fiber. Or Olipop Classic Root Beer with 35 calories, 2 grams of total sugar, and a filling 9 grams of fiber. Other brands include: SunsSip, Wildwood, and Mayawell.

If you decide to try one, let me know which one you’ve chosen and how you like it. Just be sure that you do not go over the recommended daily dose of about 3-10 grams of prebiotics because that could lead to gas and bloating.

Yours in health, Lisa

No comments:

Post a Comment