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.

Tell your friends about Syfo!

Back to News