Prebiotic Sodas for Metabolic Responses

Overseen By Elisa Marroquin, Ph.D.

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Male

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Texas Christian University

Must not be taking: Glucose metabolism drugs

Disqualifiers: Diabetes, Hypertension, Liver disease, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

Duration: 4 weeks

10 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines how different drinks affect hunger and the body's sugar and hormone levels. It compares two prebiotic sodas, Diet Coke, and Coca-Cola Classic to assess their impact on feelings of fullness and sugar metabolism. Healthy men aged 18-40 without diabetes, heart disease, or other major health issues may qualify. Participants will visit the lab four times, consume various beverages, and undergo health checks. The goal is to determine how gut-friendly drinks compare to regular sodas in managing appetite and blood sugar. As an unphased trial, this study allows participants to contribute to understanding the health effects of popular beverages.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications to join the trial?

Yes, you will need to stop taking any medications or supplements that affect glucose metabolism, insulin response, or appetite to participate in this trial.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

A previous study found that replacing regular soda with Olipop, a prebiotic soda, safely affected blood sugar levels, indicating that Olipop is generally easy for the body to handle. For Poppi, another prebiotic soda, some people have reported mild discomfort, such as gas or bloating, from consuming small amounts of prebiotic fiber. These effects are usually minor and resolve quickly.

Both Olipop and Poppi contain fewer calories than regular sodas. No serious side effects have been reported for either of these prebiotic sodas. This trial is labeled as "Not Applicable" in terms of phases, focusing on understanding effects rather than testing safety like a new drug. Therefore, the treatment is generally expected to be safe for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about prebiotic sodas like Olipop and Poppi because they offer a new way to support metabolic health. Unlike traditional sugary sodas that are high in calories and sugar, these prebiotic sodas are low-calorie and contain ingredients that may promote gut health by feeding beneficial bacteria. This could potentially improve digestion and metabolic responses, offering a healthier alternative to both sugary and artificially sweetened sodas. By introducing prebiotics in a tasty, carbonated form, these drinks could provide an easy and enjoyable method for people to support their metabolic health.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective?

This trial will compare the effects of different beverages, including Prebiotic Soda 1 (Olipop) and Prebiotic Soda 2 (Poppi), on metabolic responses. Research has shown that prebiotic sodas might help control blood sugar and manage appetite. Studies on Olipop suggest it can lead to a healthier blood sugar response compared to regular sodas, meaning it might not cause a significant spike in blood sugar, which benefits overall health. Poppi contains prebiotics and apple cider vinegar, which may support gut health and aid digestion. Participants in trials of these sodas reported feeling less bloated and uncomfortable, indicating they might also help with feeling fuller. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Healthy men aged 18-40 without diabetes, heart disease, kidney or liver issues can join this study. They shouldn't smoke, vape, or follow certain diets like intermittent fasting. The trial aims to understand the effects of prebiotic sodas compared to regular and diet sodas on satiety and metabolic responses.

Inclusion Criteria

Health Status: Healthy, with no significant medical conditions

Body Mass Index (BMI): 18.5-24.9 kg/m²

I am between 18 and 40 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

I haven't had any illnesses or infections in the last 30 days.

I am taking medication that affects my blood sugar, insulin, or appetite.

I have a diagnosed kidney condition.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Baseline and Initial Assessment

Informed consent, measurement of height, weight, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose and HbA1c assessment. Participants complete demographic, health, beverage preference, and 3-day food log questionnaires.

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants visit the lab four times over four weeks to consume one of the four beverages in a random order. Measurements include DEXA scan, blood pressure, fasting glucose, insulin, GLP-1, and satiety questionnaires.

4 weeks

4 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any gastrointestinal symptoms and complete a GI Symptoms Questionnaire 24 hours after each visit.

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Prebiotic Soda 1
• Prebiotic Soda 2

Trial Overview The trial is testing how two prebiotic sodas (Olipop and Poppi), Diet Coke, and Coca-Cola Classic influence feelings of fullness, blood sugar levels, insulin response, and GLP-1 hormone levels in healthy men. Participants will consume these drinks during lab visits at TCU over four weeks.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Prebiotic Soda 2 Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Poppi is a low-calorie, carbonated prebiotic beverage (\~20-35 kcal per 355 mL serving).

Group II: Prebiotic Soda 1 Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Olipop is a low-calorie, carbonated prebiotic beverage (\~20-35 kcal per 355 mL serving).

Group III: Diet Coke Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Diet Coke is a non-caloric, carbonated beverage sweetened with artificial sweeteners. It contains zero calories and zero sugar

Group IV: Coca Cola Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Coca Cola is a caloric carbonated beverage containing high fructose corn syrup as its primary sweetener. It is considered to be a high-caloric drink (140 kcal per 355 mL serving) with 39 g of sugar.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Texas Christian University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

31

Recruited

4,400+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07105826

Impact of Prebiotic Sodas on Satiety and Metabolic ... The study is a single-blind, randomized crossover trial designed to explore how these beverages influence metabolic and appetite-related outcomes, addressing ...

2. drinkolipop.com drinkolipop.com/blogs/digest/human-clinical-trial-on-metabolic-health?srsltid=AfmBOooIVdWbbdCRYKvMxF60_B2sKC8KlyLOG2pR2ti2KWIiuKomQ9c1

OLIPOP's Human Clinical Trial on Metabolic Health Participants consuming OLIPOP Vintage Cola showed a better-for-you blood sugar response compared to those who consumed traditional cola. This ...

3. forbes.com forbes.com/sites/rebeccasuhrawardi/2022/08/17/wellness-soda-how-olipops-academic-research-studies-cement-their-position-as-the-true-functional-pop/

Wellness Soda? How Olipop's Academic Research Studies ... The Purdue findings indicated that consuming the equivalent of at least one can of OLIPOP per day for 30 days results in a boost in beneficial ...

4. clinicaltrial.be clinicaltrial.be/en/details/556702?per_page=100&recruiting=1&enrolling_by_invitation=0&active_not_recruiting=0&not_yet_recruiting=0&completed=0&only_recruiting=1&only_eligible=0

Impact of Prebiotic Sodas on Satiety and Metabolic Respon... The hypothesis is that prebiotic beverages will enhance satiety and GLP-1 secretion due to fiber content, potentially via gut microbiota ...

5. medrxiv.org medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.04.18.25326077v1

Prebiotic soda lowers postprandial glucose compared to ... Prebiotic soda lowers postprandial glucose compared to traditional soda pop: a randomized controlled trial

6. drinkolipop.com drinkolipop.com/blogs/digest/human-clinical-trial-on-metabolic-health?srsltid=AfmBOors6Zcn-JILIqnsVKXoHQCWWePfdBh6cx0OUUKaPiJhrbchlmvv

OLIPOP's Human Clinical Trial on Metabolic Health We've completed a human clinical trial to assess the impact on blood sugar of swapping traditional soda for a modern prebiotic soda.

7. app.trialscreen.org app.trialscreen.org/trials/impact-prebiotic-sodas-on-satiety-metabolic-responses-healthy-men-trial-nct07105826

Impact of Prebiotic Sodas on Satiety and Metabolic ... To understand how prebiotic sodas (Olipop and Poppi) compare to regular Coca-Cola and Diet Coke in terms of how full you feel after drinking ...

8. menshealth.com menshealth.com/health/a68235521/healthy-soda-liver-disease-risk/

There's a Link Between 'Healthy' Sodas and Liver Disease A new study finds a link between low-sugar drinks and zero-sugar beverages with an increased risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated ...