As more and more people turn away from soda and other soft drinks, the sparkling water beverage category continues to see robust growth as soda sales decline.

Volume of the domestic sparkling water segment increased by 17.9% to 338.8 million gallons in 2014, in comparison to volume growth of 7% and 11.5% in the non-sparkling and imported bottled water categories. According to market research conducted by Euromonitor International, the sale volume of sparkling water in the U.S. increased by 56.4% from 2009 to 2014.

What’s driving this rising demand is that health-conscious people who enjoy carbonated beverages view sparkling water as a better choice, as sparkling water beverages have no sweeteners or artificial ingredients. Sodas are packed full of sugar, high fructose corn syrup and other potentially harmful additives and have been linked to negative health effects such as hypertension, Type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Syfo Naturally Flavored Sparkling Waters are made from 100% purified water and are free of sugar, artificial sweeteners, sodium, preservatives or any other additives. Our carbonated beverages are calorie-free and naturally-flavored with extracts from the peel of real fruit. Try our Wild Cherry, Tangerine-Orange or Lemon-Lime Sparkling Water for yourself and our newest flavor, Peach-Pear.

Learn more about Syfo Beverages and check out one of our delicious beverage recipes.

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