Lose weight, cut sugar, drink healthy, exercise more … the list of possible New Year’s resolutions is endless. But if a few of these happen to be on your list, it may be time to stock up on cans of soda infused with pre- and probiotics.
Minimally sweet, refreshing and gut-friendly, these sodas come in a vast range of styles, usually made without refined sugar or artificial flavors, which serves those craving a crisp, fizzy, low-calorie swap for old school soda pop or alcoholic beverages.
Before popping open a can, it’s best to know a bit about these drink additives. Prebiotics are a type of fiber believed to help with digestion, nutrient absorption and immune function. Probiotics, on the other hand, help balance the bacteria in the gut and quash inflammation. Live cultures are found in fermented foods such as kefir, buttermilk, apple cider vinegar and even pickles.
While store shelves are crowded with options in at least a dozen flavors, we narrowed the focus to those flavored with lemon and berry. We picked up every brand we could find in stores for a taste-off. (We went local, in other words, but note that nearly a dozen more are available for shipping online.)
Good pre- and probiotic sodas sparkle and fizz as they are poured into the glass. They have bold aromas and flavors that are fresh and quenching, never cloying. The bad ones put function over flavor, delivering sips that are too disgusting to swallow.
Here are details on the best gut-friendly sparkling sodas and the flat, gross cans that will send you in search of tap water. Nutrition info refers to one can or 12 ounces.
Poppi Raspberry Rose Prebiotic Soda
A balance of fruity sweetness and aromatic rose essence make this a beautiful sip. It’s also very pretty in the glass. 25 calories, no sodium, 2 g fiber, 4 g sugar. $2.49 for 12 ounces at Safeway. 4 stars
Trader Joe’s Ginger Lemon Probiotic Sparkling Beverage
This tart, spicy sparkler is bold and refreshing. It’s a great choice for those who like a big sour kick, but it’s not likely to please young ones who expect sodas to be sugary sweet. 30 calories, 15 mg sodium, 5 g sugar. $1.99 for 12 ounces. 31/2 stars
KeVita Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade with Prebiotics
Fans of lemonade will enjoy this bright, quenching pour. It starts out sweet but finishes a bit sour. It could use a bit more effervescence. 60 calories, 25 mg sodium, 3 g fiber, 9 g sugar. $2.69 for 12 ounces at Safeway. 3 stars
Wildwonder Sparkling Strawberry Passion Prebiotic + Probiotic
While this features lots of strawberry and a hint of passion fruit, it is notably flat. Give it some fizz and it would score much higher. 40 calories, no sodium, 5 g fiber, 6 g sugar. $3.49 for 12 ounces at Safeway. 21/2 stars
Evolution Strawberry Vanilla
Those who prefer an extra sweet beverage and don’t mind stevia may enjoy this juicy, flavorful drink. Both the strawberry and the vanilla shine through, plus it delivers a big shot of probiotics. 45 calories, 15 mg sodium, 5 g fiber, 5 g sugar. $2.99 for 12 ounces at Safeway. 2 stars
Olipop Prebiotic Ginger Lemon
Luscious herbs, bright lemon and spicy ginger are a winning combo, but the lack of fizz plus too much stevia make for a disappointing finish. It’s drinkable, but not a standout. 35 calories, 25 mg sodium, 9 g fiber, 3 g sugar. $2.99 for 12 ounces at Safeway. 2 stars
Sun Sip Strawberry Vanilla Soda with Benefits
Ripe strawberries laced with vanilla make a great start, but the addition of monk fruit as the sweetener is a huge mistake. 25 calories, no sodium, 5 g sugar. $2.99 for 11.5 ounces at Safeway. 1 star
Trader Joe’s Organic Sparkling Lemon + Strawberry Apple Cider Vinegar
Yikes! This is wickedly sour due to far too much vinegar. This recipe needs an overhaul. 35 calories, 15 mg sodium, 8 g sugar. $1.99 for 12 ounces. 1/2 star
Daytrip Berry Citrus Prebiotic Soda
This boasts herbal aromatics and berries, but it tastes like … moldy water. 30 calories, 10 mg sodium, 7 g fiber, 5 g sugar. $2.95 for 12 ounces at Raley’s. No stars
Reviews are based on product samples purchased by this newspaper or provided by manufacturers. Contact Jolene Thym at timespickyeater@gmail.com.