President Donald Trump recently announced via social media that Coca-Cola had agreed to use cane sugar in regular Coke sold in the U.S., replacing the current sweetener, high-fructose corn syrup. While Trump lauded the potential change as a “very good move,” the Coca-Cola company had yet to officially confirm the switch, raising immediate questions about the actual health implications of such a change.

Currently, American Coke is sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, a liquid sweetener derived from cornstarch. This substance is classified as a refined sugar, meaning it originates from natural sources but undergoes processing that removes other nutrients, leaving behind pure sugar. Historically, Coca-Cola was initially made with cane sugar, but the company transitioned to high-fructose corn syrup in the early 1980s due to its lower cost. Interestingly, many other parts of the world, including the version known as Mexican Coke sold in classic glass bottles in the U.S., continue to use cane sugar.

Despite the perceived natural appeal of cane sugar, nutrition experts unanimously agree that Coke sweetened with cane sugar is no healthier than its high-fructose corn syrup counterpart. Both sweeteners are remarkably similar in their molecular composition, each containing an approximate 50/50 split of the simple sugars fructose and glucose. Consequently, they are digested in virtually the same manner by the human body. As Lisa Moskovitz, RD, CDN, CEO of the NY Nutrition Group, explained, while cane sugar might appear healthier on the surface due to a 'natural' halo effect, this perception does not extend to its nutritional impact. Caroline Susie, RDN, LD, of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, further emphasized that the body does not differentiate between cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, recognizing both simply as sugar that needs to be broken down.

Consuming excessive amounts of any refined sugar, regardless of its source, poses significant health risks. Susie highlighted that such intake can contribute to a higher risk of weight gain, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and fatty liver disease. Ultimately, she stressed, both cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup are 'added sugars,' and their cumulative effect can be substantial.

Given these facts, a broader question arises: Should one be drinking Coke at all? While an occasional soda is generally considered acceptable, experts strongly advise against regular consumption. Moskovitz described soda, regardless of its sweetener, as an “empty-calorie, blood glucose-spiking beverage.” Even diet soda, which contains no sugar or calories, is not recommended as a regular beverage due to its lack of nutritional value. For optimal hydration, Susie recommends water as the gold standard, along with unsweetened tea and sparkling water. For those craving a soda, Moskovitz suggested healthier alternatives like seltzer with a splash of juice or flavored with fresh fruits such as berries, oranges, or limes.