Cane sugar is making a comeback, and this time, it’s in your soda can. Coca-Cola confirmed it will release a cane sugar-sweetened version of its iconic soda in the US, responding to a growing demand for “more natural” ingredients. The move comes after former President Donald Trump teased the shift in a recent statement.
But what exactly is cane sugar, and is it any healthier than the high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) that’s dominated American sodas for decades?
What is cane sugar?
Cane sugar, also known as sucrose, is made from sugarcane and consists of two simple sugars: glucose and fructose. Once consumed, these are quickly split during digestion. Meanwhile, high fructose corn syrup, the cheaper alternative, is already in liquid form and contains similar sugar components.
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Is cane sugar healthier than corn syrup?
Not really. According to nutrition expert Marion Nestle, both are forms of added sugar with similar calorie content and identical health risks, including obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay, news agency AP reported.
Why did soda companies use corn syrup and not cane sugar?
It all comes down to cost and convenience. Corn syrup is cheaper than cane sugar thanks to US corn subsidies and sugar import tariffs, making it the go-to sweetener since the 1980s. It’s also more stable in acidic drinks like soda and easier to transport in liquid form.
But as consumers increasingly seek “real ingredients,” soda makers are adjusting. Pepsi and Dr Pepper have offered cane sugar-sweetened versions since 2009. Coca-Cola has sold “Mexican Coke”, sweetened with cane sugar and packaged in glass bottles, in the US since 2005. This new rollout signals a wider shift toward natural branding.
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What about diet sodas?
Artificial sweeteners offer low or zero-calorie alternatives, but they come with their own controversies. Aspartame, used in Coke Zero Sugar, was classified in 2023 as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” by a WHO committee, though the FDA disagrees, citing flaws in the supporting studies. Stevia, a plant-based sweetener also used by Coca-Cola, is considered a safer choice by several food advocacy groups.
Cane sugar might sound healthier, but sugar is sugar, whether from corn or cane. The real health concern remains the high sugar content in sodas overall. Swapping ingredients might satisfy consumer trends, but it won’t make soda a healthy drink.
