Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently reignited a long-standing nutrition debate by declaring that Coca-Cola made with cane sugar—commonly sold in glass bottles and imported from Mexico—is “healthier” than the U.S. version made with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). His comments, shared at a campaign rally and on social media, quickly went viral, prompting questions over whether one type of sugar is truly better than the other.

Coca-Cola, like many soft drinks sold in the U.S., uses HFCS due to its affordability and widespread availability. Meanwhile, the cane sugar version—known as “Mexican Coke”—has developed a cult following, often believed to taste better and be more natural. But health experts and nutrition scientists caution that this perceived health benefit is mostly marketing hype, not grounded in evidence.

In a recent feature by PBS NewsHour, experts clarified that both sweeteners deliver nearly identical health risks when consumed in excess. Despite subtle chemical differences, the body metabolizes HFCS and cane sugar in nearly the same way, breaking both down into glucose and fructose, which are then processed by the liver.

The Science Is Clear: There’s No Healthier Sugar

From a biochemical perspective, the differences between cane sugar (sucrose) and HFCS are marginal. HFCS typically contains 55% fructose and 45% glucose, while sucrose splits evenly at 50/50. Despite this slight variation, recent scientific studies show no meaningful health advantage of one over the other.

Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, cardiologist and professor of nutrition at Tufts University, told PBS, “There’s no credible evidence showing that cane sugar is healthier than corn syrup. The issue isn’t the source—it’s the quantity.”

A 2023 JAMA meta-analysis confirmed this, showing that both sweeteners contribute equally to increased risk of obesity, fatty liver, and insulin resistance. Another large-scale 2024 NIH-funded study involving 10,000+ participants concluded that total added sugar intake—regardless of the source—is the best predictor of long-term metabolic disease.

In short, swapping one for the other won’t protect your health if your overall sugar consumption remains high.

Experts Warn Against Misinformation and Misplaced Focus

In a sharply worded USA Today opinion piece, columnist Jill Lawrence pushed back against Trump’s claim, calling it “another example of politics distorting public health facts.” She compared choosing cane sugar Coke over corn syrup Coke to choosing “a different brand of cigarette” and expecting better health outcomes.

Nutritionists and public health experts agree that the bigger problem is America’s excessive sugar intake. According to the CDC, the average American consumes 71 grams (17 teaspoons) of added sugar per day, far above the recommended maximum of 25–36 grams.

Both cane sugar and HFCS are empty-calorie sources that contribute to rising rates of obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Beverages like Coke—no matter the sweetener—provide no essential nutrients and are best consumed rarely, if at all.

Conclusion: Don’t Focus on the Type of Sugar—Focus on Cutting It Down

While Trump’s comments sparked curiosity and nostalgia for “real sugar” Coke, health professionals urge the public to look beyond marketing labels and political soundbites. Scientifically, cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup are nearly identical in how they affect the body, and neither is “healthy” in the quantities commonly consumed.

The real health strategy, experts say, is not to switch sweeteners but to reduce added sugar altogether.

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