When you think of soda, do you think of a sugary drink full of chemicals? Well, finally, your perception of soda can change. People are realizing they do not want to hinder their health goals with empty calories in a soda with no nutritional value. That’s where prebiotic soda comes in.
Next time you are looking for a refreshing middle-of-the-day pick-me-up, look no further than a prebiotic soda. Not only are they delicious and fizzy, but they are also full of prebiotics, which have many health benefits. Read on to learn more!
What Are Prebiotics?
Prebiotics are indigestible fibers in plant-based foods that feed the healthy bacteria in the gut. By feeding the healthy bacteria in the gut, the gut microbiome flourishes and promotes overall health. Not all fiber is considered prebiotic fiber. This special kind of fiber includes soluble, fermentable fibers like inulin, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and galactooligosaccharides (GOS).
Foods naturally high in fiber are also high in prebiotics.
- Onions, chicory root, garlic, and asparagus are all high in GOS.
- Cashews, pistachios, legumes, and soy milk are all high in FOS.
- Dandelion root, Jerusalem artichokes, and leeks are all high in inulin.
Some foods even have two or three of the different prebiotic fibers. Each of the different prebiotic fibers works together and has its own special job. That means it is important to eat a well-balanced and diverse diet to get them all.
What Is a Prebiotic Soda?
A prebiotic soda takes the importance of prebiotics and adds it to a refreshing, flavorful, fizzy beverage. Prebiotic sodas are changing the way we think about sodas. Instead of reaching for a sugary, artificial drink that is full of harmful ingredients, you can reach for a VINA. You will be getting the satisfaction of a fizzy, refreshing drink while boosting your nutrition and supporting your gut microbiome.
Health Benefits of Prebiotics
Now that you understand what prebiotics are, are you asking yourself why you need them in your soda?
Well, the simple answer is that while you can get prebiotics from a whole food diet, Americans are just not getting enough. Prebiotics sodas are an easy way to increase your prebiotics throughout the day. Here are a few ways prebiotics may benefit your health.
Digestion Health
When we feed the good bacteria in the body prebiotics, the good bacteria can flourish, while the bad bacteria get removed from the system. The gut microbiome, which includes all of the organisms living in your gut, is balanced and works more harmoniously when there is a healthy balance of good bacteria.
When your gut microbiome is balanced, and your digestion is doing its best work, the rest of your body can reap the benefits. Your gut is the first line of defense for any food coming into the body. If it is working properly, it is better able to digest the food you eat, absorb the nutrients, and send them out into the bloodstream.
Constipation
The last step of digestive health is using the bathroom. While it is not the most glamorous topic to read about, constipation affects almost everyone at some point in life.
If your gut microbiome is not balanced, you might have trouble going to the bathroom. Prebiotics help the good bacteria flourish, causing an increased bowel content, and stimulates the body to release it, helping to alleviate constipation.
Metabolic Function
Most soda brands out there have a negative effect on metabolic function. Prebiotic soda may actually benefit it. Prebiotics have been shown to improve glucose levels and insulin resistance, supporting metabolic function. When your gut microbiome is supported by prebiotics, it is better able to help metabolize sugars.
Calcium Absorption
Prebiotics may help with calcium absorption in the lower intestinal tract. Calcium absorption is important for the health of bones and teeth. Calcium also helps nerves send messages from the brain to other parts of the body.
Boost Immune System
Much of our immune system lives in our gut. It is here where most of the production of antimicrobial proteins takes place. When the good bacteria break down the prebiotic proteins into short-chain fatty acids, it may stimulate immune cell activity. Making sure to get plenty of prebiotics throughout the day can help your immune system stay active.
What to Look for in a Prebiotic Soda
Are you interested in trying a prebiotic soda? Here is what you should look for when choosing the right brand for you. You can find all the answers you need on the ingredient list.
Real Ingredients
First and foremost, look for real, organic, natural ingredients. You don't want any artificial flavors or colors—the flavor and coloring should come from real fruit. When a beverage company uses organic ingredients, you know they hold your health as the top priority. Not only will your soda contain the prebiotic fibers, but there may be an added bonus of vitamins and minerals from the fruit juices.
Zero Added Sugars
If you are buying a low-sugar or zero-sugar prebiotic soda, make sure to read the labels. There should never be any high fructose corn syrup, aspartame, or sucralose. Sugars should only come from natural sources.
At VINA, we use stevia. Stevia comes from the stevia plant, which is part of the sunflower family. Stevia is much sweeter than sugar, so you don't need to use quite as much, and there are no calories. Not only does it bring sweetness to the party, but it also has antioxidant properties and many of its own potential health benefits.
Functional Ingredients
Besides having the functionality from the prebiotics, look for sodas that have added nutrients like brain supporting trace minerals, apple cider vinegar, added vitamins, or antioxidants.
Our prebiotic power comes from two sources. We add organic inulin to our sodas. Usually sourced from chicory root, inulin is an important prebiotic for the health of the gut.
We also include apple cider vinegar (ACV) in our prebiotic sodas. ACV also has prebiotics, thanks to the apples it’s made from. ACV is known to help with digestion, support heart health, and help maintain a healthy weight, among many other benefits. The power of prebiotics and ACV working together create a powerful boost in overall health.
We like to add trace minerals to our soda that support the brain. Specific trace minerals for the brain are zinc, manganese, and iron, and your body needs these in small amounts.
Conclusion
Prebiotic soda contains prebiotic fibers which feed the good bacteria in the gut. While you should get most of your prebiotics from whole foods, adding in a prebiotic soda can help you get more prebiotics throughout the day. Digestion health, constipation relief, metabolic function, calcium absorption, and the immune system are all areas prebiotics can help.
When you are looking for a prebiotic soda, look no farther than VINA. Our prebiotic sodas are made with real ingredients, stevia, and contain functional ingredients like brain-supporting trace minerals and apple cider vinegar.
Sources:
Health Effects and Sources of Prebiotic Dietary Fiber | nih.gov
Nourish Your Digestive System | ndsu.edu
Prebiotics, Bone and Mineral Metabolism | nih.gov
Nutrition and Immunity | The Nutrition Source | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
