President Donald Trump recently announced via social media that Coca-Cola had agreed to switch from high-fructose corn syrup to cane sugar in regular Coke sold in the U.S., a move he lauded as "very good." However, this announcement was met with immediate skepticism from nutritionists, who asserted that such a change would not render the soda any healthier. Furthermore, the Associated Press noted that Coca-Cola had yet to officially confirm any such plans, raising questions about the actual implications of this potential shift.

For decades, American Coca-Cola has been sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, a refined liquid sweetener derived from cornstarch. Historically, Coca-Cola was made with cane sugar, but the company transitioned to the cheaper high-fructose corn syrup in the early 1980s. Interestingly, many other regions globally, as well as products like Mexican Coke sold in the 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, more "natural" alternative, nutrition experts are in agreement that this is not the case. Both high-fructose corn syrup and cane sugar are classified as refined sugars. Cane sugar, sourced from sugarcane or sugar beets, undergoes processing that removes other nutrients, leaving behind pure sugar. Lisa Moskovitz, RD, CDN, CEO of the NY Nutrition Group, explained that while cane sugar may possess a "halo effect" due to its natural origin, its health implications are effectively the same as high-fructose corn syrup. Molecularly, both sweeteners are quite similar, composed of an approximate 50/50 split of simple sugars: fructose and glucose. Consequently, they are digested by the human body in virtually identical ways. Caroline Susie, RDN, LD, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, emphasized this point, stating, "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."

Experts universally caution against excessive consumption of any refined sugar, regardless of its source, due to its well-documented links to various health issues. Consuming too much added sugar significantly increases the 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 health concerns, nutritionists generally advise against regular soda consumption. Moskovitz highlighted that whether sweetened with cane sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, soda remains an "empty-calorie, blood glucose-spiking beverage." While diet soda offers a sugar-free and calorie-free alternative, experts still do not recommend it as a healthy choice, as it provides "zero nutrients." For optimal hydration, water is considered the gold standard. Other recommended alternatives include unsweetened tea and sparkling water. For those craving a soda-like experience, Moskovitz suggests seltzer infused with a splash of juice or fresh fruit, such as berries, oranges, or limes, as a healthier option.