Better For You Soda Wars: Olipop vs. Poppi
It’s no secret that Olipop and Poppi dominate the “better for you” soda space. While they have similar features, one brand comes out on top – and here’s why.
By Charley Schwartz
Over the past few years, there has been an inevitable rise in healthier food and beverage products replacing traditional brands. Many of these products are considered “better for you” alternatives to the nostalgic, less healthy childhood treats we grew up with, one of the most beloved treats being “soda.”
When I was younger, I remember begging my parents to let me drink a Sprite at birthday parties and restaurants if I behaved well. I’m sure many have had similar experiences with soda growing up. It was treated as a reward rather than an everyday drink. Many parents limit their children’s soda intake for good reason: it’s not the best for their health. While millions of people still drink regular soda, there is a huge market of people who love the taste but dislike the ingredients. This dilemma is the reason why “better for you” sodas were born.
I’ve seen multiple brands enter this space, but two of the most widely known ones are Olipop and Poppi. They are both “prebiotic sodas” intended to improve gut health with functional ingredients. Each brand offers dozens of different flavors, but to simplify the process, I compared each one’s “Coca-Cola” alternative. In order to choose a winner, I broke them down into three categories based on their ingredients/nutrition, cost, and overall resemblance to soda.
Ingredients/Nutrition
Olipop (Vintage Cola):
Carbonated Water, OLISMART (Cassava Root Fiber, Chicory Root Inulin, Jerusalem Artichoke Inulin, Nopal Cactus*, Marshmallow Root*, Calendula Flower*, Kudzu Root*), Cassava Root Syrup, Apple Juice Concentrate, Lime Juice, Natural Cola Flavor, Alpinia Galanga Root*, Stevia Leaf*, Himalayan Pink Salt, Green Tea Caffeine*, Natural Vanilla Flavor, Natural Caramel Flavor, Cinnamon
*Extract
Fiber: 9g
Total Sugars: 2g
Poppi (Classic Cola):
Sparkling Water, Organic Cane Sugar, Apple Juice*, Fruit Juice Color, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Organic Agave Inulin, Natural Flavors, Stevia, Natural Tartaric Acid, Natural Caffeine. *Concentrate
Fiber: 2g
Total Sugars: 5g
Overall, both of their ingredient lists are comparable and free of high fructose corn syrups, unnecessary flavors, and chemical sweeteners. However, Olipop might be considered more “nutritious” to some people based on its higher fiber and lower sugar content.
Winner: Olipop
Cost
Olipop (Vintage Cola):
12 for $35.99
Poppi (Classic Cola):
Olipop:
12 for $23.99
For a pack of 12, a can of Olipop comes out to about $3, whereas Poppi comes out to about $2.
Winner: Poppi
Resemblance to Soda
Olipop (Vintage Cola):
The Olipop version has a good flavor, and I would definitely buy it again. However, the OLISMART blend overpowers the Natural Cola Flavor, making it less resemblant to a classic Coca-Cola.
Poppi (Classic Cola):
For me, this Poppi version tastes almost identical to a classic Coca-Cola. If I didn’t know any better, I might even mistake it for the original.
Winner: Poppi
Overall Winner: Poppi
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