Latest news with #sweetener
Globe and Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Globe and Mail
Is Coke healthier when its made with cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup?
Earlier this week, soft drink maker Coca-Cola announced in an earnings release it will be adding a new Coke to its existing lineup in the U.S. – one that's sweetened with sucrose from cane sugar. This news came nearly a week after President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that Coca-Cola had agreed to do so, adding it 'will be a very good move' and that 'it's just better!' The new beverage option will offer U.S. consumers a choice in sweetening agents. Coca-Cola currently uses high-fructose corn syrup to sweeten its American offering of the signature soft drink. Consuming high-fructose corn syrup, or HFCS, in excess has been linked to obesity, Type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It's also linked to metabolic syndrome, which is a cluster of risk factors that together significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Many people consider HFCS to be more detrimental to health than regular sugar. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has also expressed concerns about the sweetener in the past. Are soft drinks made with cane sugar, then, a healthier choice? Here's what to know. HFCS is a liquid sweetener made by first breaking down cornstarch into corn syrup, which is nearly 100 per cent glucose, a simple sugar. An enzyme is then added to the corn syrup to convert some of its glucose into fructose, a simple sugar that occurs naturally in fruit. The most common forms of HFCS contain either 42 or 55 per cent fructose. The rest is glucose and water. Since the 1970s, manufacturers have used HFCS to sweeten all sorts of processed foods including beverages, baked goods, breakfast cereals, candies, flavoured yogurt and condiments such as jam, ketchup and barbecue sauce. In Canada, HFCS appears as sugar/glucose-fructose on soft drink ingredient lists. In foods, it's listed as glucose-fructose. Compared to sucrose, HFCS is similarly sweet, is cheaper, has a longer shelf life and is easier to mix into foods and beverages. Sucrose, which is extracted from sugar cane or sugar beets and then refined, is chemically similar to HFCS. It's also made up of glucose and fructose, in similar proportions to HFCS. Sucrose is 50 per cent glucose and 50 per cent fructose. The simple sugars in sucrose and HFCS are metabolized the same way. Glucose in the bloodstream gets into cells with the help of insulin. Fructose doesn't require insulin; it's primarily metabolized in the liver. Nutritionally speaking, there's no difference between sucrose and HFCS. Both supply four calories per gram or 16 calories per teaspoon – empty calories since both lack significant amounts of vitamins and minerals. A 2009 U.S. study, conducted with 32 adults who were overweight or living with obesity, compared the effects of consuming a quarter of daily calories from beverages sweetened with pure fructose or beverages sweetened with pure glucose (three daily servings). Both groups experienced similar weight gain during the 10-day study, but only those in the fructose group had significant increases in visceral fat, which wraps around abdominal organs. Another study, published in 2015 and conducted at the University of California, Davis, examined the effect of consuming beverages with varying amounts of HFCS for two weeks. In 85 young adults, consuming beverages containing 10 per cent, 17.5 per cent and 25 per cent HFCS led to significant increases in uric acid, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides – risk factors for cardiovascular disease. As the drinks increased in sweetness, so did the adverse consequences. More recently, a well-controlled 2021 study from the same university compared the effects of drinking three daily servings of either sucrose- or HFCS-sweetened beverages. Among the 187 participants aged 18 to 40, both options led to significant increases in liver fat and reductions in insulin sensitivity, within 16 days. A 2022 review of randomized controlled trials involving 797 participants concluded there was no significant difference between sucrose- and HFCS-sweetened drinks when it came to changes in body weight, waist circumference, blood cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure. The researchers noted that HFCS-sweetened drinks were associated with an increased level of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation, when compared to beverages sweetened with sucrose. Whether soft drinks are sweetened with cane sugar or HFCS, they are still sugary drinks that we should limit or avoid consuming. A 2023 evidence review of 73 meta-analyses revealed that higher intakes of added sugars were linked to a significantly greater risk of 45 adverse health effects such as childhood obesity, increased body and liver fat, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease and depression. The researchers recommended consuming no more than 25 grams of free sugars a day – that includes added sugars and those naturally present in foods such as honey, maple syrup and fruit juice. They also advised limiting consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages – pop, iced tea, lemonade, chocolate milk, sports and energy drinks – to less than one serving per week (200 to 355 ml). According to 2015 data from Statistics Canada, Canadians consume an average 67 grams of free sugars each day, nearly 17 teaspoons worth. Sugary drinks and desserts were the top two contributors. One type of added sugar is not healthier than another; our intake of all kinds needs to be reduced. Leslie Beck, a Toronto-based private practice dietitian, is director of food and nutrition at Medcan. Follow her on X @LeslieBeckRD
Medscape
4 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Sweeteners and Genetics Linked to Early Puberty Risk
TOPLINE: Sweetener intake, including aspartame and sucralose, was associated with an increased risk for early puberty in children, particularly in those who were genetically predisposed. Sex-specific effects were noted, with sucralose showing a stronger association with early puberty in boys and glycyrrhizin, sucralose, and other sugars in girls. METHODOLOGY: The prevalence of central precocious puberty, characterized by the early onset of secondary sexual characteristics, is increasing, highlighting the need for research into its causes and prevention strategies. Researchers analyzed a cohort of 1407 children from the Taiwan Pubertal Longitudinal Study to assess the effect of sweetener intake and genetic predisposition on the risk for central precocious puberty. Sweetener intake was evaluated using validated questionnaires and urinary biomarkers. Genetic predisposition was quantified using polygenic risk scores derived from 19 single-nucleotide polymorphisms related to central precocious puberty. Central precocious puberty was diagnosed using clinical, hormonal, and imaging criteria. TAKEAWAY: Central precocious puberty was diagnosed in 481 children. Aspartame, glycyrrhizin, sucralose, and added sugars showed a significant association with an increased risk for central precocious puberty, especially in children with a genetic predisposition. The consumption of these sweeteners showed a dose-dependent relationship, with a higher intake increasing the risk for central precocious puberty. No significant interaction effects were found between genetic predisposition and sweetener intake. Sex-specific effects were noted; the consumption of sucralose was associated with a higher risk for central precocious puberty in boys, and the consumption of sucralose, glycyrrhizin, and added sugars was associated with a higher risk in girls. IN PRACTICE: 'The findings indicate that sweetener consumption and genetic predisposition are independently associated with CPP [central precocious puberty] risk. Integrating genetic and dietary assessments could guide prevention strategies for children at heightened risk, mitigating the long-term health impacts of early puberty,' the authors of the study wrote. 'The findings are directly relevant to families, pediatricians, and public health authorities,' the lead author said in a press release. 'They suggest that screening for genetic risk and moderating sweetener intake could help prevent early puberty and its long-term health consequences. This could lead to new dietary guidelines or risk-assessment tools for children, supporting healthier development.' SOURCE: The study was led by Yang-Ching Chen, MD, PhD, Taipei Municipal Wan Fang Hospital and Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. It was presented at ENDO 2025: The Endocrine Society Annual Meeting in San Francisco. LIMITATIONS: No limitations were discussed in the abstract. DISCLOSURES: The authors had no disclosures, and no conflict of interest statements were provided. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
Bloomberg
6 days ago
- Health
- Bloomberg
America's Corn Syrup Addiction Began With Deceit
Trivia quiz: What do Japan's Fermentation Research Institute, Secretary of Agriculture Earl 'Rusty' Butz and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan have in common? Answer: Each, in their way, helped foster America's widespread adoption of high fructose corn syrup, the sweetener that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has vowed to ban.
News.com.au
17-07-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Coke's confusing response after Trump demand
Soft drinks goliath Coca Cola is being coy – and issuing confusing statements – after Donald Trump announced a sweetener would be removed from its drinks in the US in favour of sugar. On Wednesday, the US president said he had been 'speaking to Coca-Cola about using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the United States'. '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!' But it's not clear Coca Cola has agreed to remove the sweetener at all. In many countries – including Australia – the standard Coke drink uses sugar as an ingredient. However, in the US, high fructose corn syrup, made from corn starch, is used instead. Coca-Cola began using the ingredient in the 1980s in the US as it was cheaper than sugar due to government subsidies. Coke's confusing response But despite Mr Trump's emphatic announcement the $US300 billion company has not confirmed the move to dump the sweetener. In fact, it's released a statement extolling high fructose corn syrup's virtues. Initially, on Wednesday, Coca Cola published two vague lines related to Mr Trump's announcement. 'We appreciate President Trump's enthusiasm for our iconic Coca Cola brand,' it said in a statement. 'More details on new innovative offerings within our Coca Cola product range will be shared soon.' Then on Thursday, it issued a further statement that added no further clarity but did back the sweetener. 'The name sounds complex, but high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) – which we use to sweeten some of our beverages – is actually just a sweetener made from corn,' the Atlanta based firm stated. 'It's safe; it has about the same number of calories per serving as table sugar and is metabolised in a similar way by your body.' Coca Cola added that the American Medical Association 'has confirmed that HFCS is no more likely to contribute to obesity than table sugar or other full-calorie sweeteners'. It also stressed there were no 'harmful substances' in the company's products. Mr Trump is a fan of Coca Cola products and infamously has a red 'Diet Coke button' on his White House desk to keep the sugar free soft drink flowing. However, his health secretary Robert F Kennedy also has food ingredients in his crosshairs as party of his 'Make American Healthy Again' agenda. Already a number of companies making processed foods have commented to removing artificial dyes from products. But replacing high fructose corn syrup from Coca-Cola would see the US consumption of sugar go up which Mr Kennedy has rallied against. It could also up the price of producing Coke. Australian sugar tax plan In Australia, a 'sugar tax' on soft drinks, sweetened juices and cordials is being backed as a way to reduce soaring rates of obesity and diabetes. Coinciding with this week's National Diabetes Week, the Australian Medical Association has called for a new tax at a rate of 50c per 100g of added sugar, to be paid by beverage manufacturers. Under the proposal, a standard 375mL of full-sugar Coke with 39.8g of sugar would incur a tax of 19.9c. Macarthur MP Michael Freelander, who is also a practising pediatrician, said a levy on sugar-sweetened beverages would encourage companies to put less sugar in drinks, however a tax should be considered alongside of broader education measures. 'I think that we owe it to the next generation to try and make sure they are healthier than our generation,' he told NewsWire.
RNZ News
17-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Trump says Coca-Cola to switch to cane sugar in US
Coca-Cola has not confirmed the change in sweetener in it's US drink. Photo: AFP Beverage giant Coca-Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar in its US production, President Donald Trump announced on social media. The company currently uses high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in its domestic beverages - a sweetener that has long drawn criticism from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr and his Make America Healthy Again movement. "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," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "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!" The US president did not explain what motivated his push for the change, which would not impact his well-known favourite beverage, Diet Coke. Since his return to the White House, Trump has re-installed a special button in the Oval Office which summons a helping of the sugar-free carbonated drink. Coca-Cola did not immediately confirm the ingredient shift. "We appreciate President Trump's enthusiasm for our iconic Coca‑Cola brand. More details on new innovative offerings within our Coca‑Cola product range will be shared soon," the company said in a short statement. HFCS became popular in the 1970s, with its use skyrocketing thanks to government subsidies for corn growers and high import tariffs on cane sugar. Any shift away from corn is likely to draw backlash in the Corn Belt, a Midwestern region that has been a stronghold of support for Trump. Both HFCS and sucrose (cane sugar) are composed of fructose and glucose. However, they differ structurally: HFCS contains free (unbonded) fructose and glucose in varying ratios -- 55/45 in soft drinks -- while sucrose consists of the two sugars chemically bonded together. These structural differences, however, don't appear to significantly affect health outcomes. A 2022 review of clinical studies found no meaningful differences between HFCS and sucrose in terms of weight gain or heart health. The only notable distinction was an increase in a marker of inflammation in people consuming HFCS. Overall, both sweeteners appeared similarly impactful when consumed at equal calorie levels. Despite this, Mexican Coke -- which is made with cane sugar -- is often sold at a premium in US stores and prized for its more "natural" flavour. Trump's prized Diet Coke is sweetened with aspartame -- a compound classified as a "possible carcinogen" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). - AFP
