Trump says Coca-Cola agreed to use ‘real' cane sugar for Coke in US; Does it have any real health benefits?
On July 16, the US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he had persuaded Coca‑Cola to return to using 'REAL Cane Sugar' in its US flagship drink– echoing the sweet, nostalgic taste favored in Mexico and abroad.
'I have been speaking to Coca-Cola about using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the United States, and they have agreed to do so. I'd like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola. This will be a very good move by them — You'll see. It's just better,' Trump wrote in his Truth Social post.
However, Coca-Cola hasn't confirmed Trump's claim.
This comes after James Quincey, the CEO of Coca-Cola, presented the US President with a custom Diet Coke bottle for his January inauguration, continuing a tradition since 2005 where commemorative bottles mark presidential transitions.
Trump, who is a known Diet Coke enthusiast, revealed that he consumed up to 12 cans daily during his first term. He previously received a standard Coca-Cola bottle in 2017 before the company corrected it to his preferred diet version.
Although Trump's announcement of Coke supposedly agreeing to shift toward using 'real' cane sugar has already sparked widespread discussion about taste, and trade – one aspect remains more vital than the rest – the nutrition.
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Beyond the buzz, this raises a more grounded question: does cane sugar actually offer any health advantages over the uber-popular high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) currently used in American sodas?
Let's delve into that discussion.
What is cane sugar?
Cane sugar is made from sugarcane, a tropical grass that's cultivated worldwide, particularly in Southeast Asia and India.
It's made by crushing sugarcane, extracting the juice, boiling it to concentrate into syrup, and then allowing crystals to form, sometimes spun to remove molasses. There are three main forms:
Unrefined (e.g.,
jaggery, muscovado): high molasses content, dark color, richer flavor.
Raw (e.g., turbinado, demerara): lightly processed, golden crystals with some molasses flavor.
Refined (typical cane-sourced granulated sugar): nearly identical to regular white sugar, but labeled as from cane.
Is cane sugar good for health?
Cane sugar is essentially sucrose, a molecule composed of glucose and fructose. It provides calories and carbohydrates but very few, if any, other nutrients.
While cane sugar, like other sugars, can be part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation, it's generally not considered "good" for health due to its potential negative impacts on weight, blood sugar levels, and overall well-being.
In fact, keeping the idea of moderation in mind, the
American Heart Association
recommends limiting added sugars, including cane sugar, to less than 6 teaspoons (24 grams) per day for women and 9 teaspoons (36 grams) for men.
The health debate: Cane sugar vs. HFCS
Historically, US Coke switched from sugar to cheaper high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in 1984 due to Reagan-era sugar import quotas that doubled domestic sugar prices.
Now, switching to cane sugar, as Trump has claimed, might have some economic impact. However, healthwise, we can break down the impact as follows:
Nutritional parity:
Scientifically, both cane sugar (sucrose) and HFCS are roughly equal in carbohydrate density and contribute similarly to calorie intake. Both contain around 4 calories per gram. Cane sugar is 50 % glucose/50 % fructose, while HFCS (typically
HFCS‑55
) is roughly 45–55 % fructose/glucose.
Both are roughly equal in carbohydrate density and contribute similarly to calorie intake. So, there's no scientific evidence to support the claim that cane sugar would be healthwise 'better' than HFCS.
Metabolic and health effects:
High consumption of added sugars, no matter the type, is linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver, and metabolic syndrome. As per extensive
research
, only minimal metabolic or health differences have been found between sucrose and HFCS when consumed equally. Studies have linked high fructose consumption to
insulin resistance
,
metabolic syndrome
, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Additionally, ultra‑processed fructose still contributes to fatty liver, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and diabetes. However, studies have also shown HFCS to be occasionally linked to slightly higher
inflammation markers
.
The 'natural' perception:
Many consumers might think of opting for cane sugar due to its image as less processed or artificial, despite HFCS being generally safe and FDA-approved. This 'natural' preference often overshadows hard science when it comes to health outcomes. Furthermore,
Harvard nutritionist Frank Hu
noted HFCS isn't inherently worse than table sugar: 'We should worry about sugar in general.'
Historical and economic context
Since the 1980s, US bottlers, including Coca‑Cola since 1984, have used HFCS instead of cane sugar, largely due to cheaper corn subsidies and sugar import tariffs.
Switching to cane sugar would likely increase costs, reduce domestic corn demand, and require importing more sugar, raising concerns about trade deficits and job losses. In fact, reverting to cane sugar would significantly raise costs: Mexican Coke (made with cane sugar) sells at premium prices, with 12-packs costing $15-$20 versus $6 for HFCS-sweetened Coca-Cola.
While Trump's announcement supports Robert F.
Kennedy Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again' campaign, aiming to reduce processed additives and sweeteners, merely switching sweeteners, as scientific research and data have shown, does not curb sugar consumption.
True health improvement won't come from what we sweeten our cola with, or from switching to a supposed diet drink of the same kind – but from drinking fewer sugary beverages altogether. From a health standpoint, the real victory lies in moderation – consuming less sugar, regardless of its source, remains the most impactful step.
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