JEFF CAPLAN'S MY MINUTE OF NEWS
Jeff Caplan’s Minute of News: Is “Healthy Sodapop” really good for you?
Apr 1, 2025, 11:00 AM
Editor’s note: This is an editorial piece. An editorial, like a news article, is based on fact but also shares opinions. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and are not associated with our newsroom.
SALT LAKE CITY — Remember the Super Bowl like a month ago? The game was a blowout, but if you’re like me, you saw this commercial and wondered… what?
The commercial is for Poppi. They call it a healthy soda.
Poppi is called a prebiotic soda. Simply stated, it means the bubbly beverage includes non-digestible plant fibers that help your gut grow good bacteria. But Poppi’s being sued for misleading advertising. Some scientists say the amount of fiber in the soda is insignificant. But on the other hand, experts say with only a tenth of the sugar, it’s better for you than Pepsi.
While that’s not saying much, it said a lot to Pepsi, which bought the company a couple of weeks ago. Two billion dollars later, Pepsi now owns Poppi.
So if you’re sitting in the car with a big gulp of Diet Coke, as many Utahns do, please note that Poppi does not make diet soda. 25 calories a can, they figure they don’t have to. But if you’re looking for the kick you get from Diet Coke, Poppi Cola has just as much caffeine.
The only problem is it’s more expensive than other sodas. One reason is marketing. The company gifted vending machines full of Poppi to 32 influencers. Not bad for a start-up. Super Bowl commercials ain’t cheap.
Jeff Caplan is the host of Jeff Caplan’s Afternoon News on KSL NewsRadio. Follow him on Facebook and X.
