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.

In a recent New York Times article, Michael C. Bellas, chief executive of the Beverage Marketing Corporation, was quoted as saying that the sale of bottled water, including sparkling water, is expected to surpass the sale of soda by the end of the decade if not sooner.

To many this is a startling development as soft drinks giants the Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo have dominated the beverage market in this country for most of the last century. But the move toward water has been a trend that’s been growing since the 1980s and Bellas noted that sales of bottled water grew at a rate of 20 percent in every quarter from 1993 to 2005. Part of what is driving the trend are health concerns, as some data points to a growing correlation between obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other health issues with the consumption of sugary soft drinks. Public health officials have also encouraged greater consumption of beverages with less sugar.

As the plain bottled-water market matures, sparkling waters are growing fast in market share and popularity. In the same New York Times article, Talking Rain Beverage Company’s chief executive Kevin Klock says: “There’s a large market out there that wants something sparkling, something flavored, something without a controversial sweetener…”

Syfo Beverages Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Waters are a great choice if you want to turn to healthier beverages. Free of sugar, sodium, artificial sweeteners or preservatives, they’re made with 100% purified water.

To read the entire New York Times article, click here.

Many people who want to stay healthy and hydrated have turned to sparkling water because they find its effervescence and taste more refreshing than plain water. Still, misconceptions have persisted that somehow the carbonation in sparkling water is not as healthy. Now, according to a recent article in the New York Daily News, two nutritionists have confirmed that sparkling water is just as good for you.

The article quotes Manhattan-based nutritionist Keri Gans, RDN, CND, as saying that sparkling water is just as healthy for you: “If somebody doesn’t like the taste of water, they shouldn’t be concerned if sparkling is all they’re drinking. Sparkling water is just as hydrating. All it is is added carbonation.” She also clears up the misconception that carbonation depletes the calcium in your body : “The conclusion is that carbonation does not do that. Other ingredients in soda may do that, but carbonation does not.”

In the article Kristi King, MPH, RDN, a senior clinical dietitian at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, dispels the notion that carbonation somehow erodes tooth enamel: “Usually any tooth erosion comes from beverages that are sugar-sweetened in conjunction with carbonation, which tend to be highly acidic. Carbonated water is not going to be nearly as acidic.”

Later in the article Gans also notes that not all sparkling waters are equally healthy and we tend to agree. Syfo, made from 100% purified water, is naturally flavored and contains no sugar, sodium, artificial sweeteners or preservatives. That makes Syfo one of the healthiest sparkling water beverage choices.

To see how Syfo stacks up against the competition, click here.

Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that can be found in food and beverage can linings as well as some plastic bottles, plastic toys and baby bottles, has been linked to higher odds of obesity and adverse levels of body fat in children according to a new study.

In a study published recently in Pediatrics, researchers at the University of Michigan studied the levels of BPA found in children’s urine and then measured body fat and waist circumference. They found that higher risks of obesity — defined as a BMI (body fat index) above the 95th percentile on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s growth curves — was associated with higher levels of urinary BPA in the test participants. Researchers also found that children with higher BPA levels were more likely to have an abnormal waist circumference-to-height ratio.

Health concerns over BPA have been growing over the last several years. Some studies using rodents have linked it to breast and prostate cancer, reproductive abnormalities, early onset of puberty and conditions such as attention deficit disorder. Past studies with human adults have shown an association between high BPA levels and obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Because of this growing concern, many countries and some states in the US have banned products that use or contain BPA, especially products that are likely to be used by children. Also, in July 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that baby bottles and children’s drinking cups could no longer contain BPA; however, this restriction does not apply to other BPA-containing products.

Syfo’s glass and 100% recyclable PET bottles contain absolutely no BPA. According to the Mayo Clinic, to steer clear of BPA, seek out BPA-free products, cut back on canned products and avoid exposing plastics to heat.

You can read more on the study linking BPA to obesity in children here and in this Fox News article.

A new study published in the journal Psychological Science indicates that simple rituals make food or drink taste better. Researchers believe that these rituals – such as a toast,  saying or special way of serving a food – heighten awareness of what you’re eating or drinking by bringing you into the moment.

Researchers from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and Harvard Business School in Boston conducted four experiments about rituals before eating. They tested whether rituals influence the perception and consumption of chocolate (sweet), lemonade (tart) and baby carrots (healthy).

In the experiments, the researchers devised simple rituals for each food type – breaking and unwrapping a chocolate bar, rapping knuckles on a desk before nibbling carrots and stirring and pouring lemonade. Participants who performed rituals reported that they savored the items more than those who did not engage in rituals. The study also found that performing a ritual enhanced the sensory experience and enjoyment more than just watching a ritual.

Many Syfonatics tell us they have special rituals that help them enjoy Syfo even more. Some have a special glass; some put it on their nightstand, sipping it before bedtime to help them get a good night’s sleep and of course Syfo has been a big part of holiday celebration rituals such as Passover, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah.

What’s your ritual? If you have a special method, saying or ritual that involves drinking Syfo, we’d like to know. Click here to share it with the Syfo community and we’ll publish them in a future news post.

You can read about the study here and learn more about how rituals help us savor food in this article on the Greater Good website.