Digestive Health

The microbiome: the collection of microorganisms that live in, on, and around our body. Our microbiome is most concentrated in our digestive system and can impact everything from mood and mental function to immunity, skin health, metabolism, and, of course, digestive health.

Each of us possesses our own unique microbiome: a multi-trillion sized army of single cell organisms that protect us against germs, break down our meals, release energy and produce vitamins. It’s our job to feed the little armies that live within us, so that they can continue to fight to keep us healthy. Lucky for you, bacteria have excellent taste.

The probiotics did. Hundreds of strains of probiotics (a.k.a. Good bacteria) naturally exist within our digestive tracts, and they’re hungry just like us. So instead of popping more hungry bacteria in there, consider getting those guys something to eat... or in this case drink.

While probiotics have historically had the spotlight, science is now telling us that we need to consume more fiber and prebiotics and a new trend is emerging. Probiotics are the “good bacteria” in our gut that help keep us healthy. Prebiotics are the food that they eat. Instead of adding more good bacteria, leading nutritionists are recommending we feed the ones already present in our gut.

We know all this because the research told us so. Scientists have found a correlation between digestive health and a hunter gatherer style diet.

That’s a diet that’s nutritious, diverse, fruit-full, vegetable-stuffed and fiber-filled.

The truth is, the average person doesn't have the time to wander through the woods picking berries and digging for roots. That’s why we went wandering and digging, like urban hunters and gatherers, trying to solve this puzzle for all of us. And that’s exactly how we wound up making OLIPOP. A delicious drink designed to bring you all the ingredients and benefits of an age old diet, and the ability to hold it all in the palm of your hand.

Stanford University researchers estimate that our gut microbiome's diversity has declined by around 50 percent in the last 100 years. This decline is primarily due to the Western Diet: one that's high in sugar and fat and low in fiber and prebiotics – a.k.a. the vital nutrients our good bacteria need to thrive. The Center for Disease Control reports that two-thirds of Americans have recurring digestive distress of some kind. The average American gets only 10-15 grams of dietary fiber per day - less than one-third of the World Health Organization Recommended Daily Allowance and 10-20 times less than hunter-gatherer tribes, considered by Stanford scientists to have the healthiest microbiomes.

The takeaway: If we don't address underlying digestive health, then taking probiotics is like planting seeds in the desert and hoping to grow a garden. We need to look after the good bacteria we already have to do their job looking after us.

2/3 of Americans report having digestive health issues. Consumers now understand that digestive health is key to overall health and can impact everything for immunity and weight gain to mood and mental state.

The Western Diet, low in fiber and nutrient diversity, has contributed to a mass extinction of our microbes and a decline in overall health.