Bloom Pop Prebiotic Soda: A Gut-Friendly Swap for Fridge Cigarettes Gains Ground

A health-conscious writer in New York swapped her daily Diet Pepsi for Bloom Pop, a prebiotic soda, as part of a broader look at a TikTok-driven habit sometimes described as “fridge cigarettes.” Health researchers have warned that artificial sweeteners are not risk-free. A 2019 American Heart Association study linked the regular consumption of diet sodas to a higher risk of stroke and other cardiovascular events, while newer analyses have tied even small amounts of artificially sweetened beverages to an elevated risk of type 2 diabetes. The switch to Bloom Pop illustrates a growing interest in gut-health–oriented drinks that aim to please the palate without heavy sugar or artificial additives.

Bloom Pop is marketed as a healthier alternative that preserves flavor. Each 12-ounce can contains about 20 calories and only a few grams of sugar, with no artificial flavors, preservatives or colors. The drinks are caffeine-free, which broadens its appeal to families and anyone avoiding stimulants, and come in five flavors: Shirley Temple, Strawberry Cream, Raspberry Lemonade, Classic Orange and Watermelon Lime. They’re built on a base of fruit juice, organic apple cider vinegar, and prebiotics designed to support digestion and overall wellness. The brand’s signature prebiotic, PreticX (xylooligosaccharide), is marketed as effective at low doses and as offering gut-balancing and metabolism benefits without the usual digestive side effects.

The beverage has gained attention online, with reviewers noting the nostalgia of flavors and a taste balance that many say is crisper and less sugary than traditional sodas. On the brand’s site, Bloom Pop averages 4.9 out of 5 stars, and viral social posts have highlighted the Shirley Temple flavor as particularly popular. One reviewer said a single sip “instantly transported” them back to an ice-cream parlor, while another compared Bloom favorably to competing probiotic sodas. Francesca Farago, a former reality star and new mom, praised the Strawberry Cream flavor and noted that the caffeine-free formula makes it breastfeeding-safe.

Bloom Pop’s composition relies on stevia leaf extract and organic cane sugar for flavor, rather than artificial sweeteners. The author reviewed a variety-pack, finding the drinks crave-worthy and refreshing, with a level of sweetness that felt lighter than conventional sodas. They described the texture as fizzy with a satisfying bubble and noted that the drinks are shelf-stable and enjoyable at room temperature. The reviewer also highlighted Bloom Pop’s simpler label—omitting ingredients common in many colas, such as caramel color, phosphoric acid, aspartame and potassium benzoate—which aligned with a consumer appetite for cleaner ingredients. After a week, cravings for the usual fridge cigarettes waned, and the daily habit of reaching for a full-sugar soda or extra coffee diminished.

Industry context situates Bloom Pop within a broader gut-health trend: consumers are seeking beverages that nourish digestion, immunity and, by extension, overall well-being. Prebiotics are the nutrients that feed beneficial gut bacteria, while probiotics are live cultures. Bloom Pop is built around PreticX (xylooligosaccharide), a patented prebiotic that the brand argues supports gut balance with fewer digestive side effects. While the company contends that the product can offer gut-balancing and metabolism benefits, health professionals caution that prebiotic beverages are not a cure-all and should be consumed as part of a balanced diet. As debate over artificial sweeteners continues, Bloom Pop presents itself as a lower-sugar, caffeine-free option rather than a traditional health drink.

The category’s momentum reflects a public interest in gut health and mindful sipping, but experts say more independent research is needed to validate the long-term benefits of prebiotic beverages. Bloom Pop’s branding emphasizes clean labels and flavor-forward formulations, appealing to consumers who want to reduce sugar intake without sacrificing the sensory pleasure of a fizzy beverage. The brand’s social-media buzz and endorsements from wellness-focused influencers have helped propel Bloom Pop beyond a niche product toward a broader audience seeking everyday swaps that feel healthier, not punitive.

The life-cycle of this trend may hinge on ongoing research into how prebiotics interact with the gut microbiome and whether these effects translate into measurable health outcomes over time. For now, Bloom Pop occupies a growing space in the beverage aisle: a low-calorie, caffeine-free, gut-friendly soda that aims to satisfy cravings while offering a cleaner ingredient slate. As more brands explore the prebiotic-and-flavored-soda formula, consumers will weigh taste, sugar content, and perceived gut-support against any broader health claims. In the meantime, Bloom Pop’s reception among users who have tested it as a daily swap suggests that for some, the drink successfully substitutes for a habit once described as hard to quit.