Faced with declining sales for their products, the Coca Cola Company has funded research that tries to prove that obesity has less to do with diet and more to do with a lack of exercise.

As the backlash has continued against sugary beverages, Coke has teamed up with influential scientists who are advancing this idea in medical journals, at conferences and through social media. The beverage giant has provided financial and logistical support to a new nonprofit organization called the Global Energy Balance Network, which promotes the argument that weight-conscious Americans are overly fixated on how much they eat and drink while not paying enough attention to exercise.

This argument flies in the face of both current opinion and existing available research. Needless to say most health experts are highly skeptical, saying this message is misleading and part of an effort by Coke to deflect criticism about the role sugary drinks have played in the spread of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. They contend that the company is using this research to convince the public that physical activity can offset a bad diet despite evidence that exercise has only a minimal effect on weight compared with what people eat or drink.

Coke’s current campaign comes during a period of rising efforts to tax sugary drinks, remove them from schools and stop companies from marketing them to children. In the last two decades, consumption of full-calorie sodas by the average American has dropped by 25 percent. Other beverage and food companies, including Pepsi, Kraft Foods, Hershey’s and McDonald’s, have tried to use research and advocacy to turn attention away from unhealthy diets when it comes to American’s health issues.

At Syfo, we wholeheartedly support exercise, but also know the dramatic effect that diet and choosing healthy beverages can have. Our sparkling water products are naturally-flavored and have no sugar, artificial sweeteners, sodium, preservatives or any other additives and have helped many people lose weight.

Don’t take our word for it. Read testimonials from our customers on how Syfo has helped them to lose weight and lead healthier lives.

As if you needed another reason to switch to Syfo, according to a new study published in the journal Circulation, sugar-sweetened beverages cause an estimated 184,000 deaths each year across the globe.

The analysis compiled data drawn from death and disability statistics, factoring in rates of diabetes, heart disease and cancers from 2010. It also included consumption and dietary information from any sugar-sweetened sodas, fruit drinks, sports or energy drinks, sweetened iced teas or homemade sugary drinks such as frescas.

The conclusions of the study focused on the deaths caused by sugary drinks from the cumulative health impact. The breakdown of the deaths from sugary drinks in 2010 was predominantly from diabetes with 133,000 deaths, but there were also 45,000 associated deaths from cardiovascular diseases and an additional 6,450 cancer deaths related to the drinks.

The death toll appears skewed toward poorer parts of the world with about 76 percent of the total annual death toll occurring in nations with low or middle incomes. Predictably, the study also found that younger people are being more negatively affected by sugary beverages.

Luckily it’s always a safe bet to switch to Syfo. Our Naturally Flavored Sparkling Waters contain no sugar or artificial sweeteners. They simply taste great.

You can read more about the study here.

The 4^th of July weekend is here and what better way to commemorate Independence Day than with a festive drink recipe. Whether you are watching a fantastic fireworks show or barbecuing with the family and friends, you and your guests will be sure to enjoy one of these refreshing sparkling beverages.

White Wine-Berry Sangria

INGREDIENTS

• 1 Bottle of Dry White Wine
• 1 cup Syfo Lemon-Lime Sparkling Water
• 1/2 cup Raspberry Vodka
• 1/4 cup Brandy
• Honey (optional)
• Chopped Fresh Strawberries
• Fresh Raspberries
• Fresh Blueberries
• Ice

PREPARATION

In a pitcher, combine wine, Syfo, vodka and brandy. Add warm honey to add sweetness if desired. Toss few raspberries and a small handful of chopped strawberries into the bottom of each glass and muddle the fruit. Fill glass with ice, then with sangria. Add a few blueberries and stir.

Recipe adapted from tasty-trials.com

Strawberry Lemonade Fizz

INGREDIENTS

• 1  1/2 Cups of Pureed Strawberries
• 5-6 tablespoon of Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice (1 large lemon or 2 small lemons)
• 2-4 tablespoon Maple Syrup (depending on the sweetness of the berries)
• 12 ounces of Syfo Original Seltzer
• Ice

PREPARATION

A “mocktail” the kids will love! Puree the strawberries, lemon juice and maple syrup until completely liquefied. Pour strawberry-lemon mixture in glasses over ice, in order to fill the glasses halfway or more. Top off the glasses with Syfo Original Seltzer and finish it with a quick stir.

Recipe adapted from wonkywonderful.com

Strawberry Basil Vodka Spritzer

INGREDIENTS

• 4 Medium Ripe Fresh Strawberries
• 3 Basil Leaves
• 1.5 ounces of Vodka
• 1 teaspoon of Honey
• 1 tablespoon of Lime Juice
• 6 ounces of Syfo Lemon- Lime Sparkling water
• Ice

PREPARATION

Roll up basil leaves in order to slice into thin strips. Slice strawberries into small pieces and remove the tops. Using a mortar and pestle, muddle strawberries and basil together, in order to release the juices. You could also give the basil and strawberry a whirl in the food processor or blender.

Add muddled strawberries and basil to a large glass. Add vodka, honey, lime juice, and Syfo. Stir with a spoon and pour into a glass with ice. This recipe makes one serving.

Recipe adapted from theluckypennyblog.com

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that has been used in many diet or low calorie soft drinks and has been linked to several health concerns – including diabetes, headaches, belly fat and digestive issues. Long-term human studies continue to try and assess any aspartame link to cancer. As people have become more aware of beverage ingredients and their health impact, some major soda companies have tried to adjust their formulas to remove the worst of these ingredients, including aspartame.

In reaction to this and the market-wide declining sales of diet soda, PepsiCo took the plunge recently and reformulated its diet drinks with a mix of artificial sweeteners including sucralose, which has its own health concerns. The Coca-Cola Company however, has decided to stand pat with its diet beverages.

People looking to avoid the negative health effects of sugar and high fructose corn syrup don’t have to turn to diet beverages that also have significant health concerns. Fortunately, there’s no need to worry about the ingredients with Syfo. Our Naturally Flavored Sparkling Waters have no calories and are free of sugar, artificial sweeteners, sodium, preservatives or any other additives, plus they’re made with purified water. With Syfolicious flavors like Wild Cherry, Tangerine-Orange and Lemon-Lime, you can lose the diet soda and move on to a healthier you.