President Donald Trump recently announced via social media that Coca-Cola had agreed to replace high-fructose corn syrup with cane sugar in its regular Coke sold within the United States. This declaration, which Trump heralded as a "very good move," has yet to be officially confirmed by Coca-Cola, sparking public and expert discussion about the potential implications.

Currently, the standard American Coke is sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), a liquid sweetener derived from cornstarch. This is a refined sugar, meaning it has been processed to remove other nutrients, leaving behind pure sugar. Historically, Coca-Cola initially used cane sugar but made the switch to HFCS in the early 1980s due to its lower cost. Interestingly, many other regions globally, including the version of Coke commonly known as Mexican Coke (often sold in classic glass bottles in the U.S.), continue to use cane sugar as their primary sweetener.

Despite the perception that cane sugar might be a healthier alternative, nutrition experts largely agree that Coke made with cane sugar offers no significant health benefits over its HFCS-sweetened counterpart. Lisa Moskovitz, RD, CDN, CEO of the NY Nutrition Group, explained that while cane sugar might seem healthier on the surface because it's perceived as "natural," this "halo effect stops there." Both cane sugar, derived from sugarcane or sugar beets, and high-fructose corn syrup are refined sugars with very similar molecular structures, each containing an approximate 50/50 split of the simple sugars fructose and glucose. Caroline Susie, RDN, LD, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, emphasized that our bodies process both sweeteners in essentially the same way, recognizing them simply as sugar to be broken down.

Experts warn that excessive consumption of any refined sugar, whether it be cane sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, can lead to increased health risks. These include weight gain, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and fatty liver disease. Susie reiterated that, ultimately, both are forms of "added sugar," and these additions can accumulate quickly, posing health concerns.

Given these facts, nutritionists generally advise against regular consumption of soda, regardless of the sweetener. Moskovitz described soda as an "empty-calorie, blood glucose-spiking beverage." While diet soda, which contains no sugar or calories, might appear to be a marginally better option, experts still do not recommend it, as Susie pointed out that both regular and diet sodas provide "zero nutrients." For optimal hydration, water remains the gold standard. Other recommended healthy alternatives include unsweetened tea and sparkling water. For those craving a fizzy drink, Moskovitz suggests seltzer enhanced with a splash of juice or fresh fruit like berries, oranges, or limes.