President Donald Trump recently announced that Coca-Cola has agreed to switch from high-fructose corn syrup to cane sugar in regular Coke sold in the U.S., a move he described as "very good." However, Coca-Cola has not yet confirmed this change, raising questions among health experts about the actual implications of such a transition for consumer health.

Currently, American Coke is sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), a liquid refined sugar derived from cornstarch. Coca-Cola originally used cane sugar but made the switch to the cheaper HFCS in the early 1980s. Interestingly, many other regions globally, including the formulation used in Mexican Coke sold in the U.S. in glass bottles, continue to use cane sugar.

Despite the perception that cane sugar might be healthier, nutritionists firmly state that Coke sweetened with cane sugar would not offer any health benefits over its high-fructose corn syrup counterpart. Both are refined sugars, meaning they originate from natural sources but undergo processing that strips away other nutrients, leaving only pure sugar. Experts, such as Lisa Moskovitz, RD, CDN, explain that while cane sugar might have a "natural" halo effect, it is functionally similar to HFCS. Both sweeteners possess comparable molecular structures, featuring an approximate 50/50 split of the simple sugars fructose and glucose, and are metabolized identically by the human body.

Caroline Susie, RDN, LD, emphasized that the body processes both cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup simply as sugar. Consuming excessive amounts of any refined sugar can elevate the risk of weight gain, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and fatty liver disease. She underscored that these "added sugars really do add up" and are detrimental regardless of their specific source.

Given these facts, experts generally advise against regular soda consumption. While an occasional soda is acceptable, it's considered an "empty-calorie, blood glucose-spiking beverage." Even diet soda, which contains no sugar or calories, is not highly recommended as it provides zero nutritional value. For optimal hydration and health, nutritionists recommend water as the primary choice, along with unsweetened tea and sparkling water. For those craving a soda, a healthier alternative suggested by Moskovitz is seltzer flavored with a splash of juice or fresh fruit like berries, oranges, or limes.