Are there any side effects of Poppi?

November 16, 2025 •

2 min read

Reports from consumers and health experts indicate potential side effects of Poppi, including gas, bloating, and other digestive issues, primarily linked to its prebiotic fiber, agave inulin. While marketed as a healthier alternative, awareness of its ingredients and potential drawbacks is important for informed consumption.

Quick Summary

Poppi contains prebiotic fiber and apple cider vinegar, which can cause digestive issues like bloating, gas, cramping, and nausea, particularly for sensitive individuals. Lawsuits have also questioned its gut health claims due to low prebiotic content. Experts advise moderation and note whole foods are a better prebiotic source.

Key Points

Digestive Discomfort: Poppi's prebiotic fiber, agave inulin, and carbonation can cause bloating, gas, cramping, and other digestive issues, especially for those with sensitive stomachs or IBS.
Apple Cider Vinegar Effects: The apple cider vinegar in Poppi may cause nausea, particularly if the beverage is consumed on an empty stomach.
Moderation is Key: While Poppi is a lower-sugar alternative to traditional soda, moderation is crucial, as excessive consumption can increase the risk of side effects and may involve higher sugar intake.
Lawsuit Over Claims: A class-action lawsuit questioned Poppi's "gut healthy" claims, arguing that the 2g of prebiotic fiber per can is likely insufficient for meaningful benefits and an $8.9M settlement was reached.
Start Small and Listen: To minimize the risk of side effects, start with a smaller portion of Poppi and pay attention to how your body reacts before increasing your intake.
Whole Foods over Soda: Health professionals emphasize that whole foods are a superior source of prebiotics and fiber compared to prebiotic sodas.

Understanding Poppi's Ingredients and Their Effects

Poppi is a popular prebiotic soda marketed as a gut-healthy alternative. Its key ingredients, agave inulin (a prebiotic fiber) and apple cider vinegar (ACV), can be beneficial but are also the main cause of potential side effects. The fermentation of agave inulin by gut bacteria naturally produces gas, leading to discomfort, especially for those with sensitive digestive systems. The acidity of ACV can also cause nausea, particularly if consumed on an empty stomach.

The Common Digestive Discomforts

Gastrointestinal distress is a frequently reported side effect of Poppi. Potential issues include bloating, gas, abdominal cramping, and nausea. Individuals with conditions like IBS should be cautious.

The Poppi Lawsuit and Health Claim Controversies

Poppi faced a class-action lawsuit concerning its "gut healthy" marketing. The lawsuit argued that the 2 grams of agave inulin per can is insufficient for significant gut health benefits, and a person would need to drink multiple cans to reach a potentially effective dose. Poppi reached an $8.9 million settlement in July 2025. This highlights the importance of evaluating health claims and prioritizing whole food sources for nutrients.

Poppi vs. Olipop: A Comparison of Side Effects

Comparing Poppi and Olipop, both prebiotic sodas, reveals differences in ingredients and fiber content that affect potential side effects. More details can be found on {Link: TODAY https://www.today.com/health/diet-fitness/is-poppi-good-for-you-rcna156765}.

How to Minimize Side Effects

To reduce potential side effects when drinking Poppi, start slowly and consume with food. For more information, the Cleveland Clinic offers a helpful resource on prebiotic sodas {Link: Cleveland Clinic https://health.clevelandclinic.org/are-prebiotic-sodas-good-for-you}.

Conclusion

While a popular low-sugar soda alternative, Poppi can cause digestive issues due to its prebiotic fiber and apple cider vinegar, particularly in sensitive individuals or when consumed in excess. The sufficiency of its prebiotic fiber content has been questioned legally, resulting in an $8.9 million settlement regarding health claims. Experts suggest viewing Poppi as a moderate treat rather than a primary gut health solution. Monitoring your body's reaction is crucial for digestive comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Poppi can cause bloating and gas. This is a common side effect associated with the prebiotic fiber, agave inulin, and the carbonation in the drink, particularly for individuals with sensitive digestive systems.

For most people, drinking Poppi in moderation is generally considered safe. However, daily consumption, especially in larger quantities, can increase the risk of digestive issues like bloating and cramping, and potentially counteract prebiotic benefits due to sugar content.

Both diarrhea and constipation have been reported as potential side effects. Excessive consumption, especially when not used to high fiber intake, can lead to loose stools, while changes to the gut microbiome can sometimes cause temporary constipation.

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is included as a key ingredient, which some proponents claim offers benefits like supporting digestion and blood sugar levels. However, its acidity can cause nausea for some, particularly on an empty stomach.

A class-action lawsuit argued that the 2 grams of prebiotic fiber (inulin) in each can is not enough to provide meaningful gut health benefits. Many experts agree that whole foods are a much better source of dietary fiber.

Yes, individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or other sensitive digestive conditions should be cautious with Poppi. Agave inulin is a high-FODMAP ingredient that can trigger gas, bloating, and other intestinal distress.

The lawsuit, which resulted in an $8.9 million settlement, alleged that Poppi misleadingly marketed its sodas as “gut healthy”. It claimed the prebiotic fiber content was too low to provide meaningful benefits and would be offset by the sugar content if consumed in larger quantities.