A new study published in the journal Psychological Science indicates that simple rituals make food or drink taste better. Researchers believe that these rituals – such as a toast,  saying or special way of serving a food – heighten awareness of what you’re eating or drinking by bringing you into the moment.

Researchers from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and Harvard Business School in Boston conducted four experiments about rituals before eating. They tested whether rituals influence the perception and consumption of chocolate (sweet), lemonade (tart) and baby carrots (healthy).

In the experiments, the researchers devised simple rituals for each food type – breaking and unwrapping a chocolate bar, rapping knuckles on a desk before nibbling carrots and stirring and pouring lemonade. Participants who performed rituals reported that they savored the items more than those who did not engage in rituals. The study also found that performing a ritual enhanced the sensory experience and enjoyment more than just watching a ritual.

Many Syfonatics tell us they have special rituals that help them enjoy Syfo even more. Some have a special glass; some put it on their nightstand, sipping it before bedtime to help them get a good night’s sleep and of course Syfo has been a big part of holiday celebration rituals such as Passover, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah.

What’s your ritual? If you have a special method, saying or ritual that involves drinking Syfo, we’d like to know. Click here to share it with the Syfo community and we’ll publish them in a future news post.

You can learn more about how rituals help us savor food in this article on the Greater Good website.

Tell your friends about Syfo!

Every so often Web discussions and articles appear on the health benefits and effects of sparkling water. And the results are always the same, sparkling water is as healthy as ever! One of the latest trending topics is effect of sparkling water on digestive health. According to this article on Healthline.com, sparkling water has many digestive health benefits:

Improves swallowing ability

Studies suggest that sparkling water may improve swallowing ability. In one study, 16 healthy people were asked to repeatedly swallow different liquids. Carbonated water showed the strongest ability to stimulate the nerves responsible for swallowing.

Can make you feel fuller

Carbonated water can make you feel fuller after meals when compared with plain water and help you lose weight (read our customer testimonials of weight loss). According to HealthLine, in a controlled study in 19 healthy young women, fullness scores were higher after the participants drank 8 ounces of sparkling water, compared to when they drank still water.

May help relieve constipation

People who experience constipation may find that drinking sparkling water helps relieve their symptoms. In a two-week study in 40 older individuals who had experienced a stroke, average bowel movement frequency nearly doubled in the group that drank carbonated water, compared with the group that drank tap water. What’s more, participants reported a 58% decrease in constipation symptoms.

Helps to relieve stomach pain

There’s also evidence that sparkling water may improve other symptoms of indigestion, including stomach pain. The Healthline.com article references a controlled study that examined 21 people with chronic digestive issues. After 15 days, those who drank carbonated water experienced significant improvements in digestive symptoms, constipation, and gallbladder emptying.

So there you have it. There is one other issue that has been the subject of online discussions of late, and that is whether carbonated water can aggravate IBS (Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome). HealthLine says that sparkling water doesn’t cause IBS, but if you have IBS and are sensitive to carbonated beverages, it may be best to remove them from your diet.

You can read more about the health benefits of sparkling water in our earlier posts here and here.

The start of the New Year is traditionally a time of renewed focus and new beginnings, so that makes it a perfect time to refocus on your health, especially this year. Here are a few simple steps you can take, gathered from sources around the Web, that can help you get off to a healthy start in 2025 and help to put the stress of 2024 behind.

Get a good night’s sleep — According to the American Sleep Foundation, about two-thirds of Americans say their sleep needs are not being met during the week with 15 percent reporting less than six hours per night. Between 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night is considered optimal for good health.

Eat protein for breakfast – When you rise from that restful sleep, try having a protein-rich breakfast. According to a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating a protein-rich breakfast may help control appetite and curb the urge to snack in the evening. It can also improve alertness, energy and performance throughout the day.

Take time during your day to release stress – According to the Mayo Clinic, simple meditation exercises during the day that can be done practically anytime and anywhere can bring both a sense of calm and balance. This can benefit both your emotional well-being and your overall health.

Exercise for at least 90 minutes a week – According to this article on Discovery Health, you don’t need to exercise for hours a day or run a marathon to get the weight loss, cardiovascular and overall heath benefits. Studies have shown that walking as little as 10 minutes a day increases the heart’s oxygen consumption rate by more than 4 percent while helping to reduce weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Make the switch to healthy beverages – Sugary soft drinks have been associated with weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, dental problems and even depression. A move toward healthy beverages can improve your overall health and keep you hydrated. We recommend Syfo of course.

Labor Day is a great opportunity to relax, rejuvenate and have fun. To help you get the most out of the last holiday weekend of the summer, enjoy these refreshing beverage recipes with a sparkling Syfo touch.

Rangpur Strawberry Crush

From delish, here’s a perfect late-summer recipe:

Ingredients:

4 strawberries
1 1/2 oz. Tanqueray Rangpur
1 1/2 oz.  Syfo Lemon-Lime Naturally Flavored Sparkling Water

Preparation:

Prepare strawberries in a highball glass. Add crushed ice and Tanqueray Rangpur and top with Syfo Lemon-Lime Naturally Flavored Sparkling Water .

Sparkling Cojito Cocktail

Courtesy of the kitchn website, here’s a cool refreshing variation of the mojito. The recipe serves six.

Ingredients:

1 bunch fresh mint, keep a few sprigs to the side for garnish
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons water
4 limes juiced
3 cups coconut rum, like Blue Chair Bay
1 liter Syfo Original Seltzer
Ice
Lime wedges for garnish

Preparation:

In a large pitcher, combine the mint, sugar and water, and muddle. Add the lime juice and rum, and stir to combine. Fill the pitcher with ice and add the seltzer. Pour into ice filled glasses and garnish with a sprig of mint and a lime wedge.

Red, White & Blue Spritzer

Ingredients:

White Wine (we chose Moscato)
Lemon-Lime Syfo Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Water
Frozen Blueberries & Strawberries

Preparation:

Pour 4oz of chilled Moscato and 2oz of Syfo Lemon-Lime Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Water in a glass. Top with frozen blueberries and strawberries and enjoy!

Watermelon Slush

Ingredients:

2 ½ cups of Watermelon
1/3 cups of Pomegranate Juice
Syfo Original Seltzer
1 cup of ice
Vodka (optional)

Preparation:

Blend fresh watermelon, pomegranate juice and ice. Add 1 part of slush blend and 1 part of Syfo Original Seltzer in a glass. Add an optional shot of Vodka or liquor of your choice.

Summer Breeze

Ingredients:

Cranberry Juice
Grapefruit Juice
Syfo Wild Cherry Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Water
Ice
Pineapple Wedge
Vodka (we chose citrus flavor)

Preparation:

Pour 1 part cranberry juice, 1 part grapefruit juice, and 1 part citrus vodka in a shaker over ice. Shake well. Pour mixture in a glass and top with Syfo Wild Cherry Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Water. Garnish with a wedge of pineapple and enjoy the summer breeze.

The summer is now in full swing, and this year more than ever people are anxious to get out in the fresh air and have fun in the sun all summer long. But with all that heat and activity, it’s important to remember to take care of a critical health issue – staying hydrated. 

Luckily, that doesn’t mean having to stick to drinking only plain water throughout the summer. Sparkling water is a great way to stay hydrated and still enjoy a tasty, refreshing drink. 

Contrary to some misconceptions, sparkling water is as hydrating as plain water. In 2016, researchers examined 13 drinks and gave them a beverage hydration index (BHI) as compared to regular water. The team found that sparkling water was every bit as hydrating as still water.

The one caveat, however, is sodium content. Sparkling water that has a higher sodium content than plain water can indeed be less hydrating. Enter Syfo Naturally Flavored Sparkling Waters. 

Our products contain no sodium – in fact, they contain no preservatives, artificial sweeteners or any other additives. With four delightful all natural flavors that tickle the tongue, Syfo is a fun way to stay hydrated during the summer and the entire year. 

So grab a cooler, your favorite bottle of Syfo and bask in the sun and the fun of being outside.