Trusting Natural Product Claims

Last year we posted an article on natural flavor claims, citing the case of a lawsuit targeting Hint water, whose “natural flavors” were made using propylene glycol. The lawsuit stated that calling flavors that contained synthetic, highly processed solvents such as propylene glycol misleads the consumer.

A recent article in The New York Times revived the topic since the FDA has never issued a legal or regulatory definition of the term “natural.” Some of the all-natural claims seem to stretch the limits of believability. Take for example “All Natural” 7Up, Pop-Tarts “Baked With Real Fruit” and Crystal Light “Natural” lemonade. Some recent food products that have been the target of lawsuits include Breyer’s and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and Annie’s Homegrown salad dressings for using xanthan gum, a widely used thickener and food stabilizer. Another lawsuit brought against General Mills forced it to change the labels on its Nature Valley Granola Bars that contained some artificial ingredients, replacing labels that once read “100% Natural” to say they are “Made With 100% Natural Whole Grain Oats.”

Luckily, when it comes to beverages, Syfo makes it simple. Our flavors are as natural as can be and are derived from the oil that is selectively extracted from the peel of the fruit. As opposed to many other flavored products on the market, Syfo’s flavorings are made without using synthetic solvents such as propylene glycol. We only use premium, high quality and natural humectants such as vegetable based glycerin and ethyl alcohol. All of our Naturally Flavored Sparkling Waters and Original Seltzer are made with 100% purified water and contain no sugar, sodium, artificial sweeteners or preservatives. Just pure natural goodness.

Finally Beat Those Sugar Cravings in 2018

You may have made cutting back on sugar your New Year’s resolution this year, perhaps not for the first time. Sugar cravings can be hard to beat, but one month into 2018 we have your back. Sugar lurks in many places in our daily diet (the average American consumes 82 grams of sugar every day) but you can finally beat those cravings with these six tips, courtesy of the Atlanta Journal Constitution and Shape Magazine.

1) Drink more water

Well we’ve talked about this one more than once — avoid sugar-laden sodas like the plague. According to Shape Magazine: “If you crave bubbles switch to sparkling water or all-natural seltzer with a splash of 100-percent fruit juice or fresh fruit for flavor.”  Of course our delicious Naturally Flavored Sparkling Waters taste great just on their very own. If you must have a sweet drink, sports dietitian Natalie Rizzo recommends combining fresh sliced fruit and water in a pitcher and letting it sit overnight.

2) Reach for fruit at snack time

“Trading processed treats for fruit-based snacks is a great way to slash added sugar and up your intake of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber,” Shape Magazine notes. The publication suggests sliced apples or pears dolloped with almond butter; nonfat organic yogurt layered with in-season fresh fruit, nuts and rolled oats; or a fresh fruit smoothie.

3) Swap tea for soda

Nutritionist Christy Brissette recommends: “When I want something sweet and I need to make water more exciting, I love to drink fruity, herbal teas like peach, apple, lemon, or raspberry — hot or iced.” (Shameless plug: Our Tangerine-Orange, Wild Cherry and Peach-Pear Naturally Flavored Sparkling Waters can have the same effect.)

4) Sweeten oatmeal with fruit

“Add frozen berries to your plain, warm, cooked oats instead of purchasing instant oatmeal that’s packaged with added sugar,” registered dietitian Tori Holthaus told Weight Watchers. “The frozen berries melt and nearly liquefy into the oatmeal –and a sweet, delicious flavor results.”

5) Make your own tomato sauce

“Many jarred tomato sauces have added sugar, and who needs that?” registered dietitian Sarah Pflugradt told Weight Watchers. “When you make your own you’ll feel like an Italian chef with a savory sauce simmering away in your house!”

6) Pre-plan your splurges

Shape recommends that you stash healthy snacks in your desk to help avoid the office goodies that show up, and make it a policy to avoid free samples. That way you can genuinely enjoy the occasional planned splurge, like a restaurant dessert balanced by a light entrée.

We hope these tips — with the help of our Naturally Flavored Sparkling Waters — put you on the road to a healthier diet in 2018. Click here for more helpful information in our Health Tips section.

Women Turn to Sparkling Water in Pregnancy

Many women face the dilemma: what is safe and beneficial to drink during pregnancy? Women have long said that water can be the solution to many pregnancy complaints, from constipation to fatigue and dry skin and everything in between.  And the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women drink at least 8 cups of fluids each day. But women during pregnancy also report that the taste or the idea of drinking plain water can be unappealing. What to do?

Enter seltzer and sparkling water. Many women find that the carbonation in seltzer and sparkling water helps with nausea, and the Pregnancy & Baby website lists flavored sparkling water as a great way to stay hydrated while combating the craving for soda, which because of the sugar and the caffeine that it contains,  may not be the healthiest beverage to drink while pregnant.

But don’t just take our word for it. Read what our customers say about how Syfo has helped them while they were pregnant:

“I am 32 weeks pregnant and suffer from GERD and other digestive issues.   I happened to come across Syfo and purchased the bigger bottle.  Let me tell you I felt a sense of relief.”

“I’m pregnant and the drinks that I usually consumed suddenly all had a terrible aftertaste, so water was my only option.  I’ve been searching for a refreshing flavored water for months and I’m so glad to have stumbled upon Syfo!!!! It has also  helped me to curb my issues with morning sickness. I’m thinking Syfo will be my drink of choice even after the baby is born…thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!”

“I am so thankful that I found Syfo. I’m pregnant and it’s the only beverage that works for me.”

So if you’re pregnant, why not give Syfo Naturally Flavored Sparkling Waters a try. There are four delicious flavors to choose from, and since they’re made with purified water with no sugar, sodium, artificial sweeteners, preservatives or other additives, they’re the healthy choice for you and your baby now and for years to come.

New Research on Diet Drinks and Weight Gain

We’ve posted in the past on how diet beverages have been shown in research to actually increase belly fat and complications for diabetes. Now there’s new research that suggests that drinking diet soda can be linked to these effects and also to weight gain.

As more and more consumers move away from sugary soft drinks, they turn to diet drinks thinking that artificially-sweetened beverages would help them lead healthier lives by controlling their weight and reducing their risk for diabetes and heart disease. The latest research is showing that this assumption does not appear to be the case.

Meghan Azad, a researcher at the University of Manitoba, reviewed dozens of studies about the long-term health effects of sugar substitutes, trying to see whether there was a prevailing trend on the health effects of diet beverages. He found that not only were artificial sweeteners suspect when it came to weight management, but people who drank them routinely had an increased body mass index and risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

His studies of the available research concluded that “non-nutritive” (artificial) sweeteners (are) significantly associated with modest long-term increases in body weight, BMI and waist circumference.”

Belly fat, or visceral fat, has been linked to a greater chance of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. High waist circumference is also one component of metabolic syndrome, a constellation of health risk factors that also includes high triglycerides, blood pressure and blood glucose.

Researchers have not yet agreed on why diet beverages cause these effects but one thing is clear. Syfo, made from purified water and naturally flavored with no sugar, artificial sweeteners, sodium, preservatives or other additives, is the sensible, tasty and healthy choice.

You can read more about Azad’s research in this Washington Post article.

Syfo Steps Up for the Cat Network

If you love cats, you won’t want to miss this. Syfo is proud to sponsor this year’s charity gala supporting the Cat Network, with featured guest John Fulton of Animal Planet’s Must Love Cats. The event will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2017, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the University of Miami’s elegant Robert and Judi Prokop Newman Alumni Center, 6200 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, Florida 33146.

The gala is a fun way to support a worthy cause. It will help raise money and awareness for the Cat Network’s efforts to reduce cat over-population through educating the public about the need to sterilize their pets and community cats. The Network also provides access to low-cost spay/neuter services for stray, homeless and abandoned cats; helps members in their efforts to place adoptable cats in loving homes; and advocates non-lethal population control and humane public policy.

So join us on November 11. There will be wine, hors d’oeuvres, cuisine, music, a silent auction, raffles and of course plenty of Syfo Naturally Flavored Sparkling Waters on hand. Admission to the event will be $75.00. To make a reservation, please e-mail info@thecatnetwork.org.

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