What are postbiotics? BTS and ARIH are making this gut health trend impossible to ignore
Gut health terminology is suddenly everywhere — probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and now postbiotics.
And thanks to BTS and their new ARIH beverage line, even more people are starting to ask the same question: What are postbiotics?
The K-pop group recently partnered with Korean food companies Paldo and HY (formerly Korea Yakult) to launch ARIH, a wellness-focused food and beverage brand centered around gut-friendly ingredients and modern health trends.
“ARIH is inspired by BTS; it blends the spirit of positivity and creativity behind their music with refined Korean flavor to innovate modern wellness,” the company writes on its official website.
The drinks are also tapping into major wellness trends like fiber-maxxing and microbiome health, helping bring terms like “postbiotics” into mainstream conversation.
What’s inside the BTS ARIH drinks?
ARIH’s new product line includes postbiotic energy drinks, dual biotic sodas and Korean-inspired noodles — and BTS members were reportedly involved in everything from the name and flavors to the packaging and overall concept.
The postbiotic energy drinks contain 100 milligrams of caffeine from natural sources, along with zero sugar and no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners. They also include fermented Korean ingredients like black garlic, red ginseng and goji berry extract, plus four kinds of postbiotics.
Meanwhile, the dual biotic sodas contain prebiotics, four kinds of postbiotics and 3 grams (3,000mg) of fiber per can while remaining low in sugar and calories.
Several BTS members have already shared favorite flavors from the lineup, according to the Food Network:
- Suga: Orange Hour energy drink and Positive Orange soda
- j-hope: Orange Hour energy drink and Red Ruby Galore soda
- Jin: Tropical Wave energy drink and Peach Mango Horizon soda
- Jung Kook: Lemon Crest energy drink and Clear Lemon soda
RM (Gochujang Butter), Jimin (Vongole), V (Truffle Bulgogi and Soy Sauce Butter) like the noodles, according to Forbes.
The launch comes during BTS’s massive comeback period, which includes a new album, Netflix releases and an 82-date world tour stretching through 2027.
MORE INFO: Prebiotic vs. Probiotic: Skip the Supplements and Feed Your Gut the Right Way Instead
FAQ: Pre, pro and postbiotics explained
All the gut-health terminology surrounding ARIH can get confusing quickly. Here’s a simple breakdown of what all those buzzwords actually mean and why it matters to your gut health.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are live “good” bacteria you consume through foods like yogurt, kimchi and kombucha. Think of them as adding helpful workers to your digestive system.
What are prebiotics?
Prebiotics are types of fiber that feed those beneficial bacteria already living in your gut. They’re essentially food for the workers and are naturally found in foods like bananas, garlic and onions.
What are postbiotics?
Postbiotics are the beneficial compounds probiotics create after digesting and fermenting food. These byproducts can include short-chain fatty acids, enzymes and other substances that may help support gut health.
What does “dual biotic” mean?
Dual biotic simply means a product combines two gut-health-supporting ingredients together, such as prebiotics and postbiotics. Products that combine probiotics and prebiotics are also commonly called synbiotics.
What is fiber-maxxing?
Fiber-maxxing is a social media wellness trend focused on intentionally increasing fiber intake to support digestion and the gut microbiome. According to UCSF Health, adults should aim for around 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day.
Where can fans buy ARIH?
ARIH launched nationwide at Walmart stores and on Walmart.com on April 24, with one-hour delivery also available in some areas. The brand has also hosted pop-up events in Seoul and Los Angeles and plans to appear throughout BTS’s “ARIRANG World Tour.”
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
