What Is OLIPOP and Is It Actually Healthy?

OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda designed to taste like classic soft drinks while delivering 6 to 9 grams of dietary fiber per can and only 35 to 50 calories. It comes in flavors like Vintage Cola, Classic Root Beer, and Cream Soda, but swaps the sugar-heavy formula of traditional sodas for a blend of plant fibers and botanicals aimed at supporting gut health.

How OLIPOP Differs From Regular Soda

A standard 12-ounce can of cola contains around 140 calories and 39 grams of sugar. OLIPOP contains a fraction of that, landing between 35 and 50 calories with zero fat and zero protein. The real selling point is the fiber content: each can provides at least 20% of your daily recommended fiber intake, which puts it in the “excellent source of fiber” category by FDA labeling standards.

The fiber comes from OLIPOP’s proprietary blend called OLISmart, a mix of prebiotic plant fibers and botanical extracts. Prebiotics are essentially food for the beneficial bacteria already living in your gut. Rather than adding bacteria directly (that’s what probiotics do), prebiotics help the good bacteria you already have thrive.

What’s Actually in It

The OLISmart formula draws fiber and plant compounds from nine core ingredients. Cassava root and chicory root supply prebiotic fibers that feed gut bacteria. Chicory root is one of the most studied sources of inulin, a specific type of prebiotic fiber. Jerusalem artichoke adds more inulin along with potassium and iron. Nopal cactus contributes soluble fibers called pectin and mucilage, which have a soothing effect on the digestive tract.

The remaining ingredients serve supporting roles. Kudzu root provides a resistant starch that acts as a prebiotic and has a long history in Chinese herbal medicine for stomach issues. Marshmallow root contains mucilage, a dense gel-like substance that can coat and calm irritated tissue. Calendula flower brings antioxidants. Acacia fiber and guar fiber round out the blend as additional sources of soluble dietary fiber.

OLIPOP products are free of all nine major allergens recognized by the FDA: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame. The company says it partners only with manufacturing facilities that follow strict allergen control plans to prevent cross-contact.

Available Flavors

OLIPOP currently offers around 20 flavors, most designed to mimic nostalgic soft drinks. The lineup includes Vintage Cola, Classic Root Beer, Cream Soda, Ginger Ale, Lemon Lime, and Orange Squeeze for people looking for familiar soda profiles. More creative options include Strawberry Vanilla, Blackberry Vanilla, Watermelon Lime, Pineapple Paradise, Tropical Punch, and Banana Cream. There’s also a Doctor Goodwin (their take on Dr Pepper-style soda), a Shirley Temple, Cherry Cola, Cherry Vanilla, Raspberry Sherbet, Crisp Apple, Classic Grape, and Ginger Lemon.

How Prebiotics Support Gut Health

Your gut contains trillions of bacteria collectively called the microbiome. When beneficial bacteria get the right fuel, they produce short-chain fatty acids that help maintain the lining of your intestines, support immune function, and regulate inflammation. The prebiotic fibers in OLIPOP, particularly inulin from chicory root and Jerusalem artichoke, are well-studied for their ability to serve as that fuel.

That said, if you’re not used to consuming much fiber, jumping straight to a can of OLIPOP (or any high-fiber food) can cause bloating and gas. Starting with half a can and increasing gradually gives your gut bacteria time to adjust.

Where to Buy It

OLIPOP is available both online through the company’s website and in retail stores. It’s not limited to subscription customers. The website offers a “Subscribe & Save” option for regular orders, but one-time purchases work too. A store locator on the site helps you find nearby retailers carrying the product. Pricing varies by retailer and pack size.

The product is shelf-stable, so it doesn’t need refrigeration before opening. OLIPOP describes the cans as “pantry-friendly,” meaning you can store them at room temperature and chill them when you’re ready to drink. Most people prefer them cold, but there’s no safety concern with room-temperature storage.

Is OLIPOP Worth It?

OLIPOP fills a specific niche: people who enjoy the taste and ritual of soda but want something with nutritional value instead of empty calories. The fiber content is genuinely significant. Most Americans eat only about 15 grams of fiber per day, roughly half the recommended amount, so a single can covers a meaningful gap. The prebiotic ingredients have legitimate research behind them, particularly chicory root inulin.

The tradeoff is cost. OLIPOP is considerably more expensive than conventional soda. Whether that premium is worth it depends on whether you view it as a treat, a soda replacement, or a functional health product. For someone drinking multiple cans of regular soda per day, switching to OLIPOP would cut calories dramatically while adding fiber. For someone who rarely drinks soda, you could get the same prebiotic benefits from foods like garlic, onions, bananas, and oats at a lower cost.