A recent announcement by President Donald Trump claimed that Coca-Cola had agreed to switch from high-fructose corn syrup to cane sugar in its regular Coke sold in the U.S., a move he described as "very good." However, the Associated Press reported that Coca-Cola had yet to confirm this potential change, raising questions about its implications for consumer health. This proposed alteration in sweetener has sparked discussion among nutrition experts regarding the perceived benefits of cane sugar over high-fructose corn syrup.

Currently, American Coke is sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, a refined liquid sweetener derived from cornstarch. This ingredient replaced cane sugar in the early 1980s due to its lower cost, despite cane sugar being the original sweetener used in Coke. Interestingly, many other regions globally, including the formulation for Mexican Coke sold in the classic glass bottles in the U.S., continue to utilize cane sugar.

Despite the "natural" halo often associated with cane sugar, nutritionists are in agreement that 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 both are refined sugars, meaning they are processed to remove other nutrients, leaving only pure sugar. Molecularly, the sweeteners are quite similar, both consisting of an approximate 50/50 split of the simple sugars fructose and glucose, and are digested identically by the human body. 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."

Experts universally caution against excessive consumption of any refined sugar, as it is linked to increased risks of weight gain, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and fatty liver disease. Susie highlighted that "At the end of the day, it’s added sugar. Those added sugars really do add up." Therefore, whether soda contains cane sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, it remains an "empty-calorie, blood glucose-spiking beverage," as Moskovitz described. For these reasons, regular soda consumption is not recommended.

While an occasional soda is deemed acceptable, health professionals suggest opting for water as the gold standard for hydration. Other recommended alternatives include unsweetened tea and sparkling water. For those craving a soda-like experience, Moskovitz proposes seltzer flavored with a splash of juice or fresh fruit like berries, oranges, or limes, offering a healthier way to satisfy the desire for a fizzy drink without the associated health risks of added sugars.