Protein has become a daily essential for many people, not just something reserved for workouts or recovery. As routines get busier and lifestyles evolve, consumers are looking for new ways to incorporate protein throughout the day in formats that feel easy, refreshing, and enjoyable.
That shift is exactly why clear protein is gaining momentum.
Clear protein offers a lighter, more refreshing way to get protein that fits seamlessly into everyday life, complementing traditional protein shakes rather than replacing them.
What Is Clear Protein?
Clear protein refers to protein beverages with a transparent, juice-like appearance and a light, drinkable texture. Unlike creamy shakes, clear protein drinks are designed to feel crisp and refreshing while still delivering functional nutrition.
Clear protein can come in a few different forms:
Still or sparkling
Whey-based or plant-based
Lightly flavored or citrus-forward
What unites them is the experience. Clear protein is about making protein feel more approachable and easier to enjoy throughout the day.
Why Is Clear Protein Trending?
Clear protein is trending because it aligns with how people actually want to consume protein now.
Rather than concentrating protein intake into one moment, many consumers are focused on protein stacking, adding smaller amounts of protein across multiple moments in the day. Clear protein makes that possible in a way that feels natural, not heavy.
It fits into:
Busy workdays
In-between meetings
Social moments
With meals and snacks
Times when you want something functional, not just empty calories
Clear protein offers function without asking you to slow down or commit to a full shake.
Still vs Sparkling and Whey vs Plant-Based
As the category grows, clear protein has taken on a few different forms.
Still vs Sparkling
Some clear protein drinks are still and juice-like, while others are sparkling and carbonated, offering a more beverage-forward experience.
Whey vs Plant-Based
Clear protein can be made from whey or plant-based sources. Plant-based clear proteins appeal to those looking for dairy-free options that still deliver meaningful nutrition.
Each format serves a different purpose, depending on taste preference and how the drink fits into someone’s routine.
What Protein Pop Is and How It Fits In
Protein Pop is Koia’s take on clear protein, designed to be both functional and fun.
Protein Pop is a sparkling, clear, plant-based protein drink made with clear pea protein.
Each can delivers:
10 grams of plant-based protein
4 grams of fiber from chicory root
2 grams of sugar
A light, refreshing, carbonated experience
Protein Pop is intentionally designed for in-between moments. It is not meant to replace meals or traditional protein shakes, and it is not positioned as a post-workout drink. Instead, it is an easy way to add protein and fiber into your day in moments when you might otherwise reach for something with little nutritional value.
When to Enjoy Protein Pop
Protein Pop fits naturally into everyday routines and social moments, including:
During the afternoon when energy dips
Between meetings or errands
With lunch or dinner
As a refreshing evening beverage
When you want something fizzy, flavorful, and functional
It works alongside other protein sources, helping you stack protein across the day without feeling overly full or weighed down.
Functional Nutrition That Feels Fun
One of the biggest reasons clear protein is resonating is that it reimagines what functional beverages can be. Protein Pop delivers nutrition in a format that feels enjoyable and modern, bridging the gap between better-for-you drinks and everyday refreshment.
Clear protein is not about replacing what already works. It is about expanding how protein fits into real life.
Protein Pop represents that shift, offering a refreshing way to add protein and fiber into the moments that need it most.