President Donald Trump recently announced that Coca-Cola had agreed to replace high-fructose corn syrup with cane sugar in regular Coke sold in the United States. This declaration, shared on social media, stated that it would be a "very good move" and "just better." However, the Associated Press noted that Coca-Cola has yet to officially confirm any such change, raising immediate questions about the potential health implications of this proposed switch.

Currently, the American version of Coca-Cola is sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, a liquid sweetener derived from cornstarch. This ingredient, a refined sugar, has been used since the early 1980s when the company transitioned from its original cane sugar formulation for cost-efficiency. Interestingly, many other regions globally, including the popular 'Mexican Coke' sold in 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 are in clear agreement: Coke sweetened with cane sugar is no healthier than its high-fructose corn syrup counterpart. Lisa Moskovitz, RD, CDN, CEO of the NY Nutrition Group, explained that while cane sugar might appear healthier due to its "natural" origin, this "halo effect stops there." Both sweeteners are refined sugars, processed to remove other nutrients, leaving only pure sugar.

The fundamental reason for their similar health impact lies in their molecular composition and how the body processes them. Both cane sugar, derived from sugarcane or sugar beets, and high-fructose corn syrup contain an approximately 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 aren’t going to know if that’s cane sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. We just know that it is sugar and we need to break that down."

Ultimately, experts warn that excessive consumption of any refined sugar, regardless of its source, carries significant health risks. These include an elevated risk of weight gain, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and fatty liver disease. As Susie succinctly put it, "At the end of the day, it’s added sugar. Those added sugars really do add up."

Given these findings, the broader recommendation from health professionals is to limit regular soda consumption altogether. While an occasional soda might be acceptable, it is not recommended on a consistent basis. Moskovitz highlighted that whether soda contains cane sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, it remains an "empty-calorie, blood glucose-spiking beverage." Diet sodas, though sugar and calorie-free, are also not endorsed by experts, as Susie notes that "Soda — regular or diet — provides zero nutrients." For optimal hydration, water remains the gold standard, with unsweetened tea and sparkling water also recommended. For those craving a fizzy drink, Moskovitz suggests seltzer enhanced with a splash of juice or flavored with fresh fruits like berries, oranges, or limes.