Is cane sugar better than high fructose corn syrup? The real health differences, as Trump applauds Coca-Cola’s ‘very good move’

The US soda scene is getting a sugary shake-up.

On Tuesday, Coca-Cola confirmed it will roll out a new product made with cane sugar this fall, aimed at American Coke drinkers who want to avoid high-fructose corn syrup.

The announcement came in the company’s quarterly earnings report, posted just a week after President Donald Trump revealed he’d been in talks with the soft drink giant about using the real sweet stuff in its US-sold colas — as it already does in countries like Mexico and the UK.

“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, known for his love of Diet Coke, said in July 16 Truth Social post. “This will be a very good move by them — You’ll see. It’s just better!”

But there’s one detail that might make Trump’s sugar high fall flat.

Coca-Cola isn’t changing its classic Coke recipe. Instead, the company said its new soda will complement its existing US lineup, serving as an option alongside the original — not a replacement.

So, what’s the difference between cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup? The Post asked the experts to find out.

What is cane sugar?

It’s derived from the sugarcane plant, a tall grass that thrives in warm climates.

Cane sugar is typcally less processed than granulated sugar, which gives it a light golden color, slightly larger crystals and a stronger molasses flavor.

“It is found in everything from baked goods to cereals to beverages, essentially anything labeled with ‘sugar,’ ‘raw sugar,’ or ‘evaporated cane juice,’” Scott Keatley, a registered dietician, told Women’s Health.

What is high fructose corn syrup?

It’s a liquid sweetener made from corn starch.

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) hit the market in the 1970s and took off fast. It has the same calories as other added sugars, but it’s cheaper and tends to have a longer shelf life.

“HFCS is used in many products, but you won’t know unless you read the nutrition labels,” Stephanie Schiff, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Northwell Huntington Hospital, told The Post.

Coca-Cola made the switch to high fructose corn syrup in the US 1980s over concerns about cost and agricultural requirements, but many fans still say the real sugar version tastes better.

Which sweetener is healthier?

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made phasing out HFCS a key part of his “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, once calling it “poison” and criticizing it for fueling the nation’s obesity and diabetes crises.

But nutrition experts say the science isn’t so clear-cut.

“Although various ingredients may be derived from sugar cane, sugar beets, or corn, they are all processed, refined, and added to our foods and beverages,” Tara Schmidt, lead dietician at the Mayo Clinic Diet, told The Post. “None of the ways in which we consume these products is in their natural form — unless you’re a panda bear.”

What’s more, Schiff added, “both cane sugar and HFCS are linked to heart disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases when consumed in excessive amounts.”

A 2022 study found that the two sweeteners have similar effects of weight, blood pressure and body mass index.

Still, Schiff pointed to research suggesting high fructose corn syrup may be more likely to promote fat buildup in the liver and contribute to insulin resistance.

One possible reason: It contains a slightly higher ratio of fructose to glucose than cane sugar.

Fructose and glucose are both simple sugars with the same number of calories, but the body processes them differently.

Glucose is the body’s primary fuel source. When consumed, it enters the bloodstream quickly, raising blood sugar and prompting the release of insulin, a hormone that helps cells absorb and use it for energy.

Fructose, on the other hand, bypasses the bloodstream almost entirely and is processed by the liver. In small amounts, that’s not a problem—but in large quantities, the liver can turn excess fructose into fat, which may build up over time and interfere with insulin function.

Cane sugar is made up of equal parts glucose and fructose. HFCS typically has a slightly higher fructose content, which may increase the risk of liver fat accumulation and insulin resistance.

While cane sugar isn’t off the hook, its lower fructose load may make it marginally less damaging in high amounts.

Research has also linked HFCS to higher levels of CRP, a marker of inflammation, though Schiff noted that it had limitations.

“The bottom line: Use less of both,” she said. “Much less.”

Schmidt agrees, adding, “It’s important to remember that, nutritionally, added sugar is added sugar is added sugar.

“When it comes to one regular soda versus another, I believe that we’re comparing two very similar beverages, neither of which provide us with any nutritional benefit.”

In the US, federal guidelines recommend keeping added sugars to under 10% of daily calories.

On a 2,000-calorie diet, that means no more than 200 calories — or about 12 teaspoons, roughly 50 grams — of added sugar per day.

Most Americans blow past that limit. Some estimates put average intake at 17 teaspoons a day.

One 12-ounce can of Coke packs 39 grams of sugar — nearly 10 teaspoons in a single serving, according to Coca-Cola.