Get Ready! You should begin seeing Kosher for Passover Syfo Original Seltzer and Naturally Flavored Lemon-Lime Sparkling Water on the shelf starting this week at Publix Super Markets and Winn-Dixie Stores. Look for the OUP symbol on the cap. Supplies will be limited so you may want to purchase early for your Passover Seder.

Our Syfo Original Seltzer and Naturally Flavored Lemon-Lime Sparkling Water are certified Kosher for Passover by the largest and most widely respected Kashruth agency — the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. Click here to see our certification letter.  To find a store near you that carries Syfo click this link. If you’re outside our Southeast market area, you can visit this page to tell your grocer to carry Syfo or shop in our online store.

New research indicates that a virus commonly found in drinking water may be a cause of rheumatoid arthritis. The good news is that drinking purified water products like Syfo may help to provide some relief to people suffering from the disease by limiting exposure to the virus.

Researchers hypothesize that these larger water-based, naturally occurring viruses — known as mimiviruses — trigger auto-immune reaction to collagens, which can result in joint inflammation. This research supports the long-held belief by many that viruses in the environment may be responsible for a host of auto-immune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis.

The outer shell of the viruses mimics animal collagen and the virus’ presence has been shown to trigger an immune response to collagen in the body. Collagen comprises the proteins that make up the various connective tissues in both humans and animals. In studies with mice, the presence of the virus in the mouse caused antibodies to attack the mouse’s collagen, leading to joint inflammation. Essentially, the presence and reaction to the virus resulted in arthritic symptoms in the mouse.

Along with physical activity, weight management, proper nutrition and rest that are  recommended as self-care options to minimize discomfort caused by arthritic flare-ups, some experts are saying that drinking purified water is another step that rheumatoid arthritis sufferers can take. Syfo Beverages’ entire product is made with 100% purified water through a multi-step process that includes reverse osmosis and UV sterilization.

You can read more about this research and its implications in this article that was posted on the wpconline.com website.

A major new study has found that children who were overweight in kindergarten were much more likely to be obese by eighth grade. And almost every child who was very obese remained that way. The study tracked the body weight of more than 7,000 children and its results surprised many experts.

Although some obese or overweight kindergartners lost their excess weight, a child’s chance to avoid obesity diminished each year that passed. By age 11, children who were obese or overweight stayed that way. To combat the nation’s obesity epidemic, experts suggest that efforts must start much earlier and focus more on the children at greatest risk.

Replacing soda and soft drinks in whole or in part with Syfo Beverages is a perfect and delicious way to get your kids off to a healthy start. Syfo Original Seltzer and Syfo Tangerine-Orange, Lemon-Lime and Wild Cherry Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Waters are calorie-free and contain no sugar, sodium, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, preservatives or caffeine. Plus they taste great. Serving your children Syfo will steer them away from sugary soda — a major factor in childhood weight gain.

You can read more about the study in this New York Times article.

As reported on the Healthday.com website, recent MRI studies conducted by German researchers indicate that energy drinks create additional strain on the heart by causing it contract more rapidly than usual. The study raises concerns that energy drinks might be bad for the heart, particularly for people who already have heart disease.

According to the study, healthy people who drank energy drinks high in caffeine and taurine experienced significantly increased heart contraction rates an hour later. Taurine is an amino acid that plays a number of key roles in the body and is believed to enhance athletic performance. Caffeine is the natural stimulant that gives coffee its kick.

The participants were given an energy drink contained 400 milligrams of taurine and 32 milligrams of caffeine per 100 milliliters of liquid (about 3.4 ounces). The 18 healthy participants were given magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to measure their heart function before and one hour after they consumed an energy drink. Participants experienced a 6 percent increase in their heart contraction after downing the energy drink.

The study’s authors expressed concern that the energy drinks could potentially lead to adverse cardiovascular effects such as irregular heartbeat. From 2007 to 2011, the number of emergency room visits related to energy drinks nearly doubled in the United States, rising from slightly more than 10,000 to nearly 21,000 according to a news release from the study’s presentation meeting.  Most of the cases involved young adults aged 18 to 25, followed by people aged 26 to 39.

Results of this study are considered preliminary until it is peer-reviewed. To learn more about the study, visit the Healthday.com website.

Everyone at Syfo Beverages would like to wish you a happy and healthy Hanukkah. For years now, Syfo has been a part of traditional family gatherings during this joyous time and throughout the year.

That’s because Syfo Original Seltzer and Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Waters are certified Kosher, not just for Hanukkah, but all year round. Jewish families across the Southeast know they can depend on Syfo for refreshing, healthy beverages that are available for any occasion.