According to the latest research published in JAMA Internal Medicine, the answer is probably that diet soft drinks are not any healthier than their sugar-laden counterparts. The study found that regular consumption of all soft drinks — sugary and artificially sweetened — was associated with a greater risk of all causes of death.

Participants who drank two or more glasses of soft drinks per day had a higher risk of mortality than those who consumed less than one glass per month. The study, one of the largest of its kind that tracked more than 451,000 people in Europe, found different risks for each soft drink type.

Two or more glasses of artificially sweetened soft drinks a day were positively associated with deaths from circulatory diseases. For sugar-sweetened soft drinks, one or more glasses a day were associated with deaths from digestive diseases, including diseases of the liver, appendix, pancreas and intestines.

Although some researchers were surprised by the results for artificially sweetened drinks, this is not the first study to link artificially sweetened beverages to health issues that include cardiovascular disease, as seen is this study outlined in the AHA Journal. The health risks of sugary drinks have been extensively documented in various publications and on this site.

The bottom line — if you’re going to switch, make a real change. Syfo Original Seltzer and delicious Naturally Flavored Sparkling Waters taste great and contain no sugar, sodium, preservatives or artificial sweeteners. If quitting sodas altogether is too difficult, even substituting half soda with half Syfo can make a healthy change in your diet. Making the switch to Syfo from any kind of soft drink has helped thousands of our customers lead healthier lives without having to give up great tasting carbonated beverages!

You can read more about the study published in JAMA Internal Medicine here.

As Hurricane Dorian approaches, our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by the storm and we urge everyone to be prepared and to be safe.

Part of that preparation of course is ensuring that you have plenty of non-perishable food and water on hand.  Remember, if you want a break from plain water or if you’re having trouble finding bottled water in your area, sparking waters are a great alternative to stay refreshed and hydrated. Syfo Original Seltzer and Naturally Flavored Sparkling Waters are beneficial to have in supply in addition to water because they’re purified, taste terrific and keep you hydrated, unlike soda and some other sweetened drinks.

Stay tuned to your local news outlets and weather forecasts for emergency information as Hurricane Dorian approaches.  Updates and contact information for emergency management centers throughout Florida can be found on the Florida Division of Emergency Management website.

If you’re a Syfonatic or a frequent visitor to our site, you know we’re not bashful about touting the health benefits of sparkling water. But it’s always a good idea to get a second opinion. In a recent article, the website Medical Daily highlighted some of the benefits of the bubbles including:

Better than soda – Well we’ve been saying this all along: Since sparkling water doesn’t contain any artificial sweeteners or sugar, it’s healthier than soda. Not to mention just as tasty and refreshing with our four delicious flavors of Syfo Naturally Flavored Sparkling Waters.

Blood sugar control – Per a 2015 study, bicarbonate from carbonated water in the body is also known to regulate our body’s glucose levels. Just check out our testimonials to read how Syfo has been a dream drink for diabetics.

Helps with digestion – According to the Medical Daily website, sparkling water can aid an upset stomach from either illness, indigestion or even motion sickness. Research has also shown that sparkling water can help improve gall bladder emptying and constipation.

So feel good, feel refreshed and feel healthy at the same time. Click here to try some great Syfo recipes to enjoy while staying healthy and hydrated. You can read the entire Medical Daily article here.

It’s not just about soda anymore. CNN reports that a new study links drinking too many sugary beverages – including 100% natural fruit juices — to an increased risk of early death.

If you think switching from soda to natural fruit juices is a healthier step, this study published in the JAMA Network Open will give you pause. It specifically highlights that drinking an excessive amount of fruit juice could lead to an increased risk of premature death ranging from 9% to 42%. Overall, the study indicated that sugars found in orange juice, although naturally occurring, are pretty similar to the sugars added to soda and other sweetened beverages.

People who consumed 10% or more of their daily calories from sugary beverages had a 44% greater risk of dying due to coronary heart disease and a 14% greater risk of an early death from any cause compared with people who consumed less than 5% of their daily calories from sugary beverages, the study showed.

Each additional 12-ounce serving of fruit juice per day was associated with a 24% higher risk of death from any cause, and each additional 12-ounce serving of sugary beverages per day was associated with an 11% higher risk. “Sugary beverages, whether soft drinks or fruit juices, should be limited,” Jean A. Welsh, a co-author of the study and an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Emory University in Atlanta, wrote in an email to CNN.

Of course, as we’ve pointed out in prior posts, you don’t have to deprive yourself of everything sweet and tasty. No matter what sugar-laden beverage you are used to drinking , be it your favorite carbonated beverage or favorite fruit juice, you can add a bigger portion of Syfo to cut the sugar to a healthier level and still enjoy a refreshing juice drink. Better yet, replacing fruit juice and other sugary beverages with Syfo Naturally Flavored Sparkling Waters can help you beat that sugar craving entirely. With deliciously refreshing flavors like Lemon- Lime, Wild Cherry and Tangerine Orange, you won’t even miss those sweet fruit juices or that soda.

You can read more about the study in this article.