Alignment Health and OLIPOP Survey Finds Healthier Beverage Choices Encourage Positive Lifestyle Changes Among Members
Alignment Health and OLIPOP have announced findings from a survey examining how a simple change in everyday beverage choices can encourage healthier lifestyle decisions among health plan members. The research explored whether introducing a functional soda as an alternative to traditional sugary beverages could influence members’ motivation to make positive health choices and strengthen their connection with their health plan.
The survey was commissioned by Alignment Health and OLIPOP, a functional soda brand that offers an alternative to conventional soda. OLIPOP contains prebiotic plant fibers and botanicals and provides between 2 and 5 grams of sugar, according to the companies. As part of the initiative, eligible Alignment Health Plan members received a complimentary pack of OLIPOP and were invited to share their experiences.
The findings suggest that a relatively small change in daily habits can encourage people to consider additional healthier behaviors. Among respondents, 76% said receiving and trying OLIPOP made them much more likely to take additional healthy actions. In addition, 74% said they were much more likely to choose OLIPOP instead of a traditional sugary beverage in the future.
The research also examined how the initiative influenced members’ perceptions of their health plan. A notable 78% of respondents said the program demonstrated to a great extent that Alignment Health cared about their health.
Together, the results highlight the potential value of wellness initiatives that make healthier choices easier to understand, accessible and relevant to everyday life.
A Simple Beverage Swap Designed to Encourage Healthier Habits
The initiative was built around a straightforward idea: introducing a healthier alternative to a familiar beverage could help members consider making other positive lifestyle changes.
Traditional sugary beverages are a familiar part of many people’s daily routines. However, people who want to make healthier choices may find it difficult to change established habits. By offering a functional soda as an alternative, Alignment Health and OLIPOP sought to introduce a practical option without requiring participants to make a complicated lifestyle adjustment.
OLIPOP is made with a blend of prebiotic plant fibers and botanicals. Its products contain between 2 and 5 grams of sugar, positioning the beverage as an alternative to traditional soda that is high in sugar.For the survey participants, the complimentary shipment provided an opportunity to try a different beverage and consider how a small substitution might fit into their everyday routines.
The survey findings indicate that the experience went beyond simply introducing a new product. Many respondents reported increased motivation to make other positive health decisions after participating in the program.This suggests that wellness initiatives can create opportunities for engagement by focusing on manageable changes rather than presenting health improvement as an overwhelming process.
Survey Examines Health and Wellness Among Medicare Advantage Members
The research is particularly relevant to Medicare Advantage populations, where many beneficiaries are managing multiple chronic health conditions.The announcement references a 2025 study published in Annals of Internal Medicine, which found that approximately one-third of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries have diabetes, around 70% have hypertension and more than 40% have obesity.
These figures highlight the importance of health and wellness initiatives that encourage positive everyday behaviors among older adults.People managing chronic conditions may need to consider several aspects of their daily routines, including food and beverage choices, physical activity and other lifestyle decisions. However, making changes consistently can be challenging.
The Alignment Health and OLIPOP initiative explored whether providing an accessible alternative could help members feel more encouraged to participate in their own wellness.Rather than focusing exclusively on clinical interactions, the program examined how a simple everyday experience could influence participants’ attitudes toward healthier habits and their perception of support from their health plan.
The companies’ findings suggest that wellness engagement can also take place outside traditional healthcare settings, through initiatives that connect with members’ daily experiences.
Approximately 1,100 Members Invited to Participate
The initiative involved approximately 1,100 Alignment Health Plan Heart and Diabetes Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan (C-SNP) members in California.Participants were selected from members who identified themselves as soda drinkers. In June 2026, they received a complimentary pack of OLIPOP soda and were invited to provide feedback through a survey.
The program was designed to understand whether introducing a different beverage option could influence participants’ wellness perceptions, future health intentions and opinions about their health plan.The research examined several areas, including whether members noticed changes after trying the beverage, whether they felt motivated to make additional healthy choices and whether the initiative affected their perception of Alignment Health’s commitment to their well-being.
The announcement also included feedback from participants who described the experience as a positive reminder to consider healthier choices.One 68-year-old participant summarized the experience by saying, “Getting this shipment [of OLIPOP] was like getting a little nudge.”
The comment reflects the central idea behind the initiative: sometimes, a small and practical introduction to a healthier alternative can encourage people to think differently about their everyday routines.
More Than Half of Respondents Reported Positive Changes
One of the important findings from the survey was that 52% of participants reported noticing positive changes associated with drinking OLIPOP.The companies also reported that none of the respondents indicated negative changes.
These responses provide insight into how participants perceived the experience of trying the beverage. Rather than viewing the initiative solely as a product introduction, respondents reported positive experiences that may have encouraged them to consider other wellness-related decisions.
However, the findings reflect participants’ reported experiences and perceptions. They do not establish that OLIPOP directly improved a medical condition or produced a measurable clinical outcome.The survey was designed to explore wellness perceptions and future intentions, not to evaluate the beverage as a medical treatment.
The results nevertheless offer an indication of how accessible alternatives may influence people’s interest in making changes to familiar habits.For health plans considering member engagement programs, this type of feedback may help demonstrate the importance of making wellness initiatives practical and easy to participate in.
74% More Likely to Choose OLIPOP Over Traditional Sugary Beverages
Another key finding involved participants’ intentions regarding future beverage choices.
According to the survey, 74% of respondents said they were much more likely to choose OLIPOP instead of a traditional sugary beverage in the future.This result suggests that introducing an alternative can help encourage participants to reconsider an established consumption habit.
For many consumers, changing daily routines can be more manageable when they are offered an option that maintains some familiarity with what they already enjoy.OLIPOP was presented as a functional soda alternative that offers a traditional soda-style experience while containing prebiotic plant fibers, botanicals and between 2 and 5 grams of sugar.
The companies’ approach was based on making a different choice available rather than requiring participants to completely abandon a familiar beverage experience.The 74% finding reflects respondents’ stated intentions following the initiative. It does not necessarily mean that all participants subsequently changed their purchasing or consumption habits.
Nevertheless, the result highlights the potential influence of accessible alternatives when encouraging people to consider healthier everyday decisions.
76% Reported Greater Motivation to Take Additional Healthy Actions
Beyond beverage preferences, the survey examined whether participants felt more motivated to make other positive lifestyle choices.The findings showed that 76% of respondents said they were much more likely to take additional healthy actions after receiving the complimentary OLIPOP pack.
This was an important aspect of the initiative because its objective extended beyond encouraging members to try a particular product.The companies wanted to understand whether a small positive experience could encourage participants to think more broadly about their health and wellness.
The responses suggest that introducing a manageable change may help create interest in other positive behaviors.For Medicare Advantage members, who may be managing multiple health conditions, encouragement to take an active role in everyday wellness can be particularly relevant.
The survey does not identify specific additional healthy actions taken by every participant. Instead, it measures their reported motivation and future intentions.Even with that distinction, the finding demonstrates that respondents associated the initiative with greater interest in making healthier choices.
78% Said the Program Demonstrated Alignment Health Cares About Their Health
The survey also examined the relationship between wellness initiatives and members’ perceptions of their health plan.According to the findings, 78% of respondents said the program demonstrated to a great extent that Alignment Health cared about their health.
This result highlights another dimension of the initiative: the importance of making members feel recognized and supported.Health plan engagement often involves communication about coverage, healthcare services and other administrative matters. The Alignment Health and OLIPOP initiative explored a different approach by providing members with an everyday wellness-related experience.
The complimentary beverage shipment gave participants an opportunity to try an alternative and share their feedback.The findings suggest that members may value initiatives that demonstrate an interest in their overall well-being beyond interactions connected directly to medical appointments.
For health plans, building positive relationships with members can involve understanding their everyday needs and identifying practical ways to encourage healthier decisions.The 78% result indicates that many survey respondents interpreted the initiative as a demonstration of care from Alignment Health.
Three Elements Identified for Wellness Programs That Last
In addition to the survey, the research included follow-up interviews with a smaller group of participants.According to the companies, these interviews identified three important elements that can help wellness programs remain meaningful and engaging.
Restoring joy in everyday experiencesThe first element involved restoring enjoyment in activities or experiences that people may have given up because of health-related reasons.Health and wellness programs can sometimes be perceived as restrictive, particularly when participants are encouraged to avoid familiar foods or beverages.
The interviews suggested that offering alternatives that maintain some enjoyment may help make healthier choices feel more approachable.Making healthier choices easierThe second element was convenience.Participants highlighted the importance of making positive choices easier to incorporate into everyday routines.
When an alternative is accessible and straightforward, people may find it easier to consider making a change.The OLIPOP initiative followed this principle by introducing a beverage option that participants could try without needing to undertake a complicated program.
Providing support that feels personalThe third element involved personalized support.The interviews indicated that participants valued wellness initiatives that made them feel recognized and supported.A program that acknowledges members’ everyday experiences may help strengthen their relationship with a health plan.These three themes provide insight into the types of experiences participants associated with effective wellness engagement.
Alignment Health Emphasizes Whole-Person Care
Dawn Maroney, president of Alignment Health and CEO of Alignment Health Plan, said the initiative reflects the company’s approach to supporting members beyond traditional healthcare interactions.“Putting the senior first means caring for the whole person, and that care doesn’t begin and end in a physician’s office,” Maroney said.
She explained that even a simple experience that helps a member feel recognized and cared for can have a meaningful impact.Maroney also emphasized the importance of making healthier choices easier and more engaging, allowing seniors to take a more active role in their health.
The company’s approach recognizes that health and wellness are influenced by everyday decisions as well as interactions with healthcare professionals.By introducing practical alternatives and encouraging participation, Alignment Health aims to make wellness feel more connected to members’ daily lives.
The initiative also reflects the company’s interest in understanding how members respond to programs that offer direct, accessible experiences.The survey results, particularly the 78% who said the program demonstrated that Alignment cared about their health, provide feedback on how participants perceived this approach.
OLIPOP Highlights Its Mission to Make Better Choices More Accessible
Ben Goodwin, founder, executive chair and head of innovation of OLIPOP, said the company’s mission is to positively influence consumer health at scale.He explained that the company believes one way to achieve this is by meeting consumers where they are and making healthier alternatives more approachable.
Goodwin described OLIPOP as a product designed to offer the familiar and nostalgic experience of soda while providing an alternative for consumers interested in making different choices.He also discussed the company’s interest in working with healthcare organizations to make its products more accessible to communities.
According to Goodwin, partnerships with organizations such as Alignment Health represent the type of opportunity the company envisioned when it was established.He expressed enthusiasm about seeing the company’s approach introduced through a healthcare partnership and reaching additional communities.
The collaboration brings together Alignment Health’s member engagement efforts and OLIPOP’s functional beverage offering.The survey provides an opportunity for both organizations to examine how consumers respond when a familiar product category includes an alternative positioned around healthier everyday choices.
Independent Research Examines Member Experiences
The research was conducted by an independent third-party research firm on behalf of Alignment Health and OLIPOP.Although approximately 1,100 eligible members received the complimentary beverage pack and were invited to participate, the final study included 82 Alignment Health Plan members who completed the survey.
Eight of those respondents also participated in follow-up interviews.This distinction is important when interpreting the findings. The percentages reported by the companies are based on the survey responses, rather than the entire group of approximately 1,100 members who received the product.
The study focused on participants’ reported experiences, perceptions and intentions after trying OLIPOP.It examined whether the initiative encouraged interest in healthier choices and whether members felt more supported by their health plan.
The results should therefore be understood as feedback from participating members rather than proof of a clinical health benefit or a demonstrated change in long-term behavior.The research nevertheless provides insight into how relatively simple wellness initiatives may contribute to member engagement.
Everyday Choices Could Play a Role in Member Wellness Engagement
The findings from Alignment Health and OLIPOP highlight the potential value of wellness initiatives built around simple, accessible experiences.The survey found that 76% of respondents felt much more likely to take additional healthy actions, while 74% were much more likely to choose OLIPOP over a traditional sugary beverage in the future.
Additionally, 52% reported positive changes associated with drinking the beverage, and 78% said the program demonstrated that Alignment Health cared about their health to a great extent.The follow-up interviews further emphasized the importance of enjoyment, convenience and personalized support when developing wellness programs.
For Medicare Advantage populations, these findings are relevant because many members are managing chronic health conditions and may benefit from practical encouragement to consider healthier everyday habits.The initiative does not establish that a beverage substitution improves clinical outcomes. Instead, it offers evidence of how members perceived a small wellness-related intervention and whether it influenced their stated intentions.
For Alignment Health and OLIPOP, the collaboration demonstrates an approach to making wellness engagement part of everyday life rather than limiting it to traditional healthcare interactions.Ultimately, the research underscores the idea that small, positive experiences can encourage interest in healthier choices while helping members feel recognized and supported by their health plan.
Source link: https://ir.alignmenthealth.com/
