The beverage industry leader, Coca-Cola, has decided to use genuine cane sugar in its production in the United States, according to a tweet by President Donald Trump on Wednesday.
Currently, the company incorporates high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in its domestic drinks. This sweetener has faced long-standing criticism from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his Make America Healthy Again campaign.
“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.
The President did not elaborate on what prompted his advocacy for this change, which would not affect his well-known preference for Diet Coke.
Since returning to the White House, Trump has reinstated a special button in the Oval Office that brings him a serving of the sugar-free fizzy drink.
Coca-Cola has not yet confirmed the switch in ingredients.
“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 gained popularity in the 1970s, with its usage dramatically increasing due to government subsidies for corn farmers and high import tariffs on cane sugar.
Any move away from corn is likely to provoke opposition from the Corn Belt, a region in the Midwestern United States that has historically supported Trump.
Both HFCS and sucrose (cane sugar) consist of fructose and glucose, but they are structurally different: HFCS has free (unbonded) fructose and glucose in various ratios—typically 55/45 in soft drinks—while sucrose comprises the two sugars chemically bonded together.
However, these structural differences do not appear to influence health outcomes significantly. A 2022 review of clinical research found no significant distinctions between HFCS and sucrose regarding weight gain or heart health.
The only noteworthy difference was a rise in a marker of inflammation in individuals consuming HFCS. Overall, both sweeteners appear to have a similar effect when consumed at equal calorie levels.
Despite this, Mexican Coke—which uses cane sugar—is often sold at a higher price in US retailers and is valued for its more “natural” taste.
