XO Soda Health Benefits: Is It Actually Good for You?
XO Soda starts with one simple idea: making fizzy drinks feel better without losing the flavour, fizz, or treat energy people actually want from soda.
XO is part of one of the fastest-growing drinks categories in the UK right now. You may have seen it appearing in fridges at Sainsbury’s, Whole Foods, and Co-op. But between the bold cans and the category buzz, a reasonable question sits underneath it all: what actually is XO Soda, and what makes it different?
This guide covers everything: what it is, what is inside, and what to look for when choosing a better soda. Here’s a straight answer.
What is XO Soda?
XO is a sparkling soft drink that contains plant-based fibre. It is designed for people who want the flavour and fizz of a proper soda, with less sugar than a regular soft drink.
Unlike regular soda, which is usually built around sugar and fizz, XO does two things at once: it gives you the carbonated, full-flavour experience of a proper fizzy drink, while also delivering 6g of plant-based fibre per can.
What is plant-based fibre, exactly?
Plant-based fibre is a type of fibre found naturally in many everyday foods.
Common plant-based fibres used in drinks can come from ingredients such as chicory, tapioca, acacia, fruit, vegetables, grains, and other plant sources.
XO Soda uses a blend of three plant-based fibres per can, delivering 6g per serving.
XO Soda: is it actually good?
The honest answer is: it depends on what you are looking for, the ingredients, and what you are comparing it to.
Compared to regular soda, yes - it is a smarter swap.
A standard can of cola averages around 39g of sugar. XO has a fraction of that. That’s a meaningful difference if fizzy drinks are part of your daily routine.
Many people are looking for drinks that feel more considered without losing the fun of soda. A drink that contains 6g of plant-based fibre in a format people actually want to consume every day is a genuinely useful option.
The amount of fibre in drinks varies significantly between brands. Some may contain very little. That is why the fibre content on the label is worth checking before you buy.
The verdict: no single drink will transform your routine on its own. But as a daily swap from sugary sodas, a drink with meaningful fibre content and no artificial ingredients is a better choice — not just marketing.
XO Soda and specific lifestyle goals
Is XO Soda good if I want something lighter than regular soda?
Yes — XO is made for exactly that. It gives you the fizz, flavour, and treat energy of soda, with less sugar than a regular soft drink.
Is XO Soda good for reducing sugar?
Yes — it is one of the most practical swaps available. The fizz, the flavour, the ritual of cracking open a cold can — it is all there, without the sugar load of a conventional soda.
If you drink fizzy drinks daily and want to cut your sugar intake without giving up the habit entirely, XO is a direct like-for-like replacement.
Is XO Soda a good alcohol-free option?
This is one of the most common reasons people find XO. Sparkling water does not always feel like a treat. Juice is high in sugar. Most soft drinks can feel like a compromise.
XO has the carbonation, the depth of flavour, and the experience of a proper drink — making it a genuinely satisfying alcohol-free choice, whether you are driving, sober-curious, or simply cutting back.
Can XO Soda help you add fibre to your routine?
Yes. Each can contains 6g of plant-based fibre. It is not a replacement for a balanced diet, but as one consistent part of your daily routine, it adds up.
This is one of the key reasons people choose XO: it turns fibre into something easy, enjoyable, and repeatable.
What makes a good fibre soda?
Not all drinks in this category are equal. Here’s what to look for on the label before you buy.
Fibre content
This is one of the most important factors. Look for a drink that clearly states how much fibre it contains per can.
XO contains 6g of plant-based fibre per can from three natural fibre sources.
Sugar content
A drink with high sugar content partially undermines the point. If you are choosing it as an alternative to regular soda, the sugar content matters. Check the label and look for a brand that keeps it genuinely low.
Artificial ingredients
Some drinks use artificial sweeteners, synthetic colours, or preservatives to hit a low-sugar target. If you prefer simpler ingredients, this is worth checking.
XO uses no artificial ingredients of any kind.
Transparency
A good brand should tell you exactly what is in the can and why. Vague claims without specific fibre content figures are a warning sign.
Who is XO Soda good for?
People who drink regular soda daily and want to reduce sugar
If fizzy drinks are a daily habit, switching to XO is one of the lowest-effort swaps you can make. You keep the ritual — the fizz, the cold can, the flavour — and reduce the sugar.
People who want to add fibre in an easy way
A daily drink that adds 6g of plant-based fibre without any effort is a practical addition to what you are already eating.
People looking for a better alcohol-free drink
The alcohol-free drinks market has improved enormously, but there is still a gap between sparkling water and something that feels genuinely enjoyable.
XO fills that gap — particularly in social settings where you want something that feels celebratory rather than like a consolation prize.
People who want something easier than supplements
Powders, capsules, and functional shots can feel like a commitment. XO requires no behaviour change beyond swapping what you are already drinking.
For people who want a more considered everyday drink rather than a dedicated wellness ritual, XO is a much more frictionless option.
Fibre drinks vs fermented drinks — what’s the difference?
Fibre drinks like XO contain plant-based fibre. They do not require refrigeration, have a longer shelf life, and taste like a conventional fizzy drink.
Fermented drinks like kombucha or kefir contain live cultures. They usually require refrigeration and have a sharper fermented taste.
The two approaches are different. But for a daily habit, a fibre soda is often the more accessible and consistent option.
The bottom line
XO is a sparkling drink containing plant-based fibre. The best versions are low in sugar, free from artificial ingredients, and contain enough fibre per serving to make a real contribution to your daily intake.
Compared to regular soda, XO is a smarter swap — lower in sugar, with added plant-based fibre, and designed to fit easily into your daily routine.
XO stands out because it combines 6g plant-based fibre, less sugar than regular soda, no artificial ingredients, and the fact that it still tastes like a proper fizzy drink.
XO is Europe's first plant-based fibre soda. Each can contains 6g of plant-based fibre from three natural sources and zero artificial ingredients.
