(WANE) – You may have seen trendy “health pops” in stores aimed at supporting digestive health. It is a so-called “functional carbonated drink”. According to Steven Lindemann, functional sodas are any type of carbonated beverage that has something added to it to improve health.
Lindemann is an associate professor of food and nutritional sciences in Purdue University’s College of Agriculture. He is also on the board of soda brand Olipop.
Lindemann explains that functional sodas often focus on adding prebiotics, plant fiber, or botanical ingredients to support the consumer’s microbiome and gut health.
“I think we’re seeing a trend where more people want to make choices that are beneficial to their health, but they don’t want to let go of the things that they’re used to and find attractive in their diets,” he said. Lindemann.
He says people are instead choosing to supplement some of their dietary choices with healthier alternatives. Lindemann says functional sodas fall right in the middle.
“Without major behavioral changes, people can make healthier choices, increase things like fiber content, and increase their intake of plant extracts that may benefit health. They don’t want to give up soda. They don’t like its role in their lives. But at the same time, they want to make healthier choices.”
Lindemann explains that any small change in someone’s overall health can mean a small improvement. These small changes can improve the health of individuals and populations as a whole.
The fiber contained in functional sodas is associated with or isolated directly from plant sources. Lindeman says it’s molecularly similar to onions and apples.
The difference is that you get more fiber by eating them whole. Some fibers found in whole foods cannot be added to functional sodas.
“Americans typically consume less than half of the dietary fiber they should be consuming each day. So anything we can do to pull up that needle and improve gut microbiome activity is justified.” I think.”
