Olipops
It’s difficult to ignore Olipop. It’s here, its there, its absolutely everywhere. Being a curious sole, I couldn’t help but purchase a variety pack of Olipop’s prebiotic sodas to see what all the hype was about. The package contained their “Vintage Cola”, “Classic Root Beer”, Cream Soda, and Ginger Ale.
Unfamiliar with prebiotic drinks, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.
I started out with Olipop’s “Vintage Cola”, as colas are the most prominently featured of all carbonated beverages. The Vintage in its name seems to imply that the flavors provided within the can of cola would be familiar to me. Possibly a much cherished memory from days gone by. If I think back to all the various cola products I’ve consumed over the years, from Coca-Cola, to Pepsi, to RC, to the the various iterations of diet colas, or even discount store brand colas like Kroger’s Big K soda, they all share flavor similarities that make them easily recognizable as colas. This cannot be said of Olipop’s “Vintage Cola”. Tomato juice is not a flavor that should come to mind whilst drinking a cola. Part of me wanted to take another sip so I could more clearly describe the flavor, the sane part of me disagreed. If the flavor doesn’t put you off, the heavy feeling that soon engulfs your stomach may well. There is nothing vintage about Olipop’s Cola. There is I suppose, the remote possibility that when Dr. John Pemberton was experimenting with his formula for Coca-Cola back in the 1880s, he might have made a batch of cola with something of a similar flavor to Olipop Vintage Soda. If so, my guess is, Dr. Pemberton would have quickly poured it down the drain.
I’m happy to report that Olipop’s Classic Root Beer does more or less taste like root beer. It’s no Amish-style sassafras root beer. It would have great trouble competing with the flavor of A&W’s root beer for that matter, but it was far more drinkable than their vintage cola.
The cream soda was the worst so far and contained no flavoring reminiscent of a traditional cream soda. Maybe that’s why they didn’t include “traditional” in the name. Overall, a distinctly unpleasant flavor.
Do I dare try the ginger ale? I’ll get back to you.
Have you ever tried Metamucil? Can’t say that I ever have. Not sure how it tastes, but its not something most people would consume for pleasure. It’s a fiber supplement designed to aid digestion.
Olipop’s beverages are prebiotic as they include non-digestible plant fibers like chicory root and Jerusalem artichoke inulin, nopal cactus, and marshmallow and cassava root. The prebiotic ingredients help existing beneficial gut bacteria grow. We do often consume prebiotic fiber from things like garlic, onions, bananas, and beans. (Glad Olipop’s left out the garlic!)
People with sensitive stomachs have complained that Olipops high fiber and inulin content can be harsh on their digestive systems. One can of Olipop’s contains about a third of your recommended daily fiber intake (about 6 grams per can). If your body isn’t used to it, sudden increases in fiber can cause bloating, gas, and cramps. Olipops also contains Inulin which is a type of carbohydrate that can ferment quickly and trigger significant intestinal upset. Also, depending on the flavor, Olipops can contain a blend of natural sweeteners derived from Stevia that have been known to cause digestive upset or nausea in some people.
When I twist off the cap on a bottle of Coke, my initial motivation is thirst. Second, the flavor…and well yes, third, the caffeine is a big plus too! The caffeine puts sodas like Coke and Pepsi inline with beverages like coffee and tea. We enjoy their flavor, the routine, and also the little caffeine kick that helps us focus on the tasks of the day.
If I’m looking for a boost in fiber, I’ll drink some cranberry juice.
I’m afraid its two little fishees.
