The future of cola? Pepsi unveils prebiotic version with only 30 calories and no artificial sweeteners

Earlier this year Pepsi purchased probiotic drinker maker Poppi, and now the soda giant is introducing a new prebiotic cola drink in its quest to capture Gen Z drinkers: Pepsi Prebiotic Cola.

The drink drops on November 28 and will be available at Walmart, on Amazon, and TikTok shop, as well as in select markets on Kroger.com, DashMart, and GoPuff. The “Unbelievably Pepsi” drinks will be available in two flavors: Original and Cherry Vanilla and contain 30 calories and five grams of sugar. They also have three grams of prebiotic fiber. 

Still, the drinks are highly marketable, given they’re a soda alternative, and appear to offer some health benefits. As many Americans have turned to weight loss drugs like Ozempic, options that fit into their new diets are more desirable. That may be especially true when it comes to drinks that contain protein, a trend which Pepsi has also jumped on given Americans are desperate to consume more protein. According to the brand, 71% tried to up their protein intake last year. In the wake of the protein craze, the brand introduced a ready-to-drink Starbucks protein coffee and a protein water by Propel.

“We want to redefine the protein conversation,” Ram Krishnan, CEO of PepsiCo’s U.S. beverages business, previously said in an interview with Fast Company. “Everybody in the country is talking about protein, but it’s actually crowded and confusing and the consumers really don’t understand all of the science behind protein.”

Previously, Pepsi has offered healthier alternatives. Back in 2016, the brand partnered with KeVita, which makes sparkling probiotic drinks and kombucha. At the time, the brand said it was “continuing to evolve” its “health and wellness offerings to meet consumers’ changing needs.”

Of course, Pepsi isn’t the first brand to launch a “healthier” soda option. There’s been a surge of prebiotic and probiotic sodas appearing on shelves in recent years. In addition to Poppi, Culture Pop and Olipop are also well-known brands that claim to have gut-boosting benefits. But while prebiotic and probiotic sodas are typically lower in sugar content and have fewer calories than regular sodas, some critics have questioned how beneficial the sodas are, given they don’t have the same variety of good bacterias that fermented foods do. “Here, you’re only getting the type of prebiotic that’s added in, while you’d likely benefit more from the variety of prebiotics in fiber-rich foods,” says Amy Keating, RD, a Consumer Reports (CR) nutritionist, per the outlet.

“At Pepsi, we are experts in great tasting cola – and have been for decades. The launch of Pepsi Prebiotic Cola marks a significant moment in our brand’s history and the cola category,” Gustavo Reyna, VP of Marketing at Pepsi said in the release. “This breakthrough innovation upholds the iconic taste of Pepsi that people love, now with no artificial sweeteners, lower sugar and functional ingredients. It’s an inimitable taste – designed to meet the demands of cola lovers, cola newcomers, and everyone in between.”

Pepsi’s new cola will drop on Black Friday and be around “until supplies last”. According to the release, you can check out the drink during Amazon Prime Video’s Black Friday Football game. It said, “the spot will bring bold flavor and feel-good refreshment to homes nationwide – with the ability to shop it live, right from your TV screen.”

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