President Donald Trump recently announced via social media that Coca-Cola had purportedly agreed to switch from high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) to cane sugar in regular Coke sold in the U.S. Trump lauded this as a "very good move," suggesting it would be "just better!" However, the Associated Press reported that Coca-Cola had not yet confirmed any such change, leading to questions about the actual health implications of such a potential sweetener swap, particularly among nutrition experts.

Currently, American Coke is sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, a liquid sweetener derived from cornstarch. This refined sugar, meaning it's processed to remove nutrients, became the standard in the early 1980s, replacing cane sugar due to its lower cost. In contrast, many other regions globally, and even products like "Mexican Coke" sold in classic glass bottles in the U.S., continue to use cane sugar as their primary sweetener.

Despite the public perception that cane sugar might be healthier, nutrition experts largely disagree. Lisa Moskovitz, RD, CDN, CEO of the NY Nutrition Group, stated that while cane sugar may "seem healthier because it’s ‘natural,’ this halo effect stops there." Caroline Susie, RDN, LD, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, explained that our bodies process both sweeteners similarly. Both cane sugar (derived from sugarcane or sugar beets) and high-fructose corn syrup are refined sugars, featuring comparable molecular make-ups with an approximate 50/50 split of fructose and glucose. Essentially, from a metabolic standpoint, the body cannot distinguish between them.

Experts caution that consuming excessive amounts of any refined sugar, regardless of its source, carries significant health risks. Susie highlighted potential consequences such as a higher risk of weight gain, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and fatty liver disease. She emphasized, "At the end of the day, it’s added sugar," and that "those added sugars really do add up."

Given these concerns, experts generally advise against regular soda consumption. Moskovitz described soda, whether cane sugar or HFCS sweetened, as an "empty-calorie, blood glucose-spiking beverage." Even diet soda, despite being sugar and calorie-free, provides no essential nutrients. Susie advocates for water as the "gold standard for hydration," also recommending unsweetened tea and sparkling water. For those craving soda, Moskovitz suggested healthier alternatives like seltzer with a splash of juice or infused with fresh fruits such as berries, oranges, or limes.