Prebiotic sodas have grown in popularity in recent years, with new products popping up all the time promising gut health benefits and low-calorie enjoyment. However, new analysis shows that many of these drinks contain relatively less prebiotic fiber and more sugar than their marketing claims.
Many products contain nutritional and functional claims that can exaggerate their nutritional value. For example, some labels may claim “no added sugar,” but the product may still contain a total of about 10 grams of sugar from sources such as juice. This has raised concerns that such claims could create a ‘circle of health’, leading consumers to believe that the product is healthier than its overall nutritional profile suggests. ”
Carlos R. Soto Diaz, MPH, PhD Candidate, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Dr. Soto-Díaz will present the findings at NUTRITION 2026, the American Academy of Nutrition’s flagship annual meeting, to be held July 25-28 in National Harbor, Maryland, outside Washington, D.C. Dr. Soto-Díaz conducted the study with Dr. Lindsey Smith-Taley, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Prebiotic soda is one of the fastest growing beverage segments in the U.S. market, with estimated sales of $777 million in 2025. Researchers used data from the Mintel Global New Products Database to analyze 108 prebiotic sodas launched in the U.S. between 2021 and 2025. These are defined as carbonated beverages that contain fiber and use the term “prebiotic” in the product name, package labeling, or ingredient list. They compared the nutritional content of prebiotic sodas to regular sodas, diet sodas, fruit drinks, and flavored carbonated waters that were introduced around the same time.
On average, prebiotic soda contains about 35 calories, 5 grams of sugar, and 5 grams of fiber per 12-ounce can. In terms of calories and sugar, it was lower than regular sodas and fruit drinks, but higher than diet sodas and flavored sparkling waters. Additionally, nearly two-thirds of prebiotic sodas contained non-nutritive sweeteners such as stevia. By comparison, more than 90% of diet sodas contained nonnutritive sweeteners, compared to less than 28% of fruit drinks, 16% of flavored sparkling waters, and less than 12% of regular sodas.
Prebiotic sodas consistently contain more fiber than other beverages, ranging from about 2 to 9 grams of fiber per can. The researchers cautioned that because the term “prebiotic” is not tied to a specific amount of fiber in the U.S. market, consumers should not assume that a product contains meaningful amounts just because it is labeled as a prebiotic, and should not rely on carbonated beverages as a primary source of dietary fiber.
“We encourage consumers not to be swayed by marketing claims and to carefully check the nutrition facts label,” Soto-Diaz said. “Certain types of prebiotic fiber have been shown to support gut health, but it is still unclear how much of a meaningful effect the amounts present in these beverages have. Potential benefits must be considered in conjunction with the product’s overall nutritional profile, including calories, sugar, and non-nutritive sweeteners.”
Researchers say when considering the health benefits of prebiotic sodas, it’s important to consider what they’re replacing. People who regularly consume sugary drinks can reduce their overall calorie and sugar intake by switching to prebiotic soda. On the other hand, for people who usually choose low-calorie or no-calorie drinks, switching to prebiotic sodas may not be as beneficial.
sauce:
American Academy of Nutrition
