EPISODE · Apr 17, 2026 · 11 MIN
The Great Soda U-Turn | Modern Beverage Brands are Stealing Gilded Age Industry Secrets
from the Joshua Schall Audio Experience · host Joshua Schall
Is soda actually becoming...healthy? For over a century, soda was the "villain" of the American diet...full of sugar, bubbles, and empty calories. But something weird is happening in the beverage aisle. We are witnessing the “Great Soda U-Turn.” In this video, I dive deep into the fascinating history of the biggest carbonated soft drink (CSD) brands and how they started as medicinal tonics in 19th-century pharmacies. From Coca-Cola’s origins as a "brain tonic" to the reason Pepsi is named after a digestive ailment, I'll explore how the beverage category is going back to its roots to save itself. Here's a selection of insightful topics covered...Gilded Age "Mixologists": When doctors literally prescribed Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper.Industrial Shift: How functionality was traded for high-fructose corn syrup in the 70s.Gut Health Revolution: How brands like Olipop and Poppi are using fiber to mimic the classic "mouthfeel" of soda without the sugar.PepsiCo Double Team Strategy: Why PepsiCo just acquired Poppi and what "Pepsi Prebiotic" means for the future of the category.Next-Gen Fiber: A look at the tech behind stable prebiotics like Arrabina.Is fiber the next protein? Would you ditch your Diet Coke for a prebiotic version, or is the "modern soda" trend just another placebo effect? Are we heading toward a future where every soda is a "refreshment with benefits"?
What this episode covers
Is soda actually becoming...healthy? For over a century, soda was the "villain" of the American diet...full of sugar, bubbles, and empty calories. But something weird is happening in the beverage aisle. We are witnessing the “Great Soda U-Turn.” In this video, I dive deep into the fascinating history of the biggest carbonated soft drink (CSD) brands and how they started as medicinal tonics in 19th-century pharmacies. From Coca-Cola’s origins as a "brain tonic" to the reason Pepsi is named after a digestive ailment, I'll explore how the beverage category is going back to its roots to save itself. Here's a selection of insightful topics covered...Gilded Age "Mixologists": When doctors literally prescribed Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper.Industrial Shift: How functionality was traded for high-fructose corn syrup in the 70s.Gut Health Revolution: How brands like Olipop and Poppi are using fiber to mimic the classic "mouthfeel" of soda without the sugar.PepsiCo Double Team Strategy: Why PepsiCo just acquired Poppi and what "Pepsi Prebiotic" means for the future of the category.Next-Gen Fiber: A look at the tech behind stable prebiotics like Arrabina.Is fiber the next protein? Would you ditch your Diet Coke for a prebiotic version, or is the "modern soda" trend just another placebo effect? Are we heading toward a future where every soda is a "refreshment with benefits"?
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The Great Soda U-Turn | Modern Beverage Brands are Stealing Gilded Age Industry Secrets
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