PepsiCo expands Propel with clear protein powder for hydration and fiber

PepsiCo is pushing Propel beyond plain hydration with a clear protein powder that tries to do three jobs at once: deliver protein, add fiber and keep electrolytes in the mix. The ready-to-mix Propel Clear Protein debuted on May 6, 2026, in peach ginger, apple pear and watermelon, and PepsiCo says each serving has 20 grams of whey protein, 3 grams of fiber, zero sugar and 90 calories.

The product sits squarely in the middle of the wellness overlap that is reshaping beverage aisles. PepsiCo says Propel Clear Protein is built as a 3-in-1 solution for muscle, digestive and hydration needs, a pitch that moves it out of the old protein-shake lane and closer to an all-day drink category. Damian Browne, senior vice president of research and development for US Beverages, framed the launch as a response to a real consumer need rather than a novelty exercise, saying the formula is meant to solve for protein, fiber and hydration without the heaviness people expect from a traditional protein shake.

That lighter, clearer profile matters. In practical terms, PepsiCo is betting that consumers want protein in formats that feel more like an electrolyte drink than a meal replacement, with cleaner flavors and a less dense texture. Propel Clear Protein is the latest sign that big beverage companies are trying to make protein work for more occasions, including afternoon slumps, workout-adjacent moments and office use, not just post-gym recovery.

PepsiCo also has distribution lined up to match the broader pitch. The company said Propel Clear Protein is available through Walmart, Amazon, TikTok Shop and Gatorade’s website, giving it both mass-market reach and a direct-to-consumer path. PepsiCo says the product was developed with registered dietitians and with GLP-1 users in mind, which adds another layer to the formula’s design brief: not just protein, but a beverage that fits changing eating patterns and appetite needs.

The launch also builds on an already established brand. PepsiCo says Propel has posted 12 consecutive years of growth, and the new powder fits into a wider protein push across the company. In October 2025, PepsiCo said protein would be a major innovation focus across its beverage portfolio, and in 2026 it followed through with protein-forward Starbucks ready-to-drink coffee and reformulated Muscle Milk products. Propel Clear Protein shows that strategy landing in a category where hydration and wellness claims are increasingly being collapsed into one package.