Is cane sugar healthier than high-fructose corn syrup?
Share and Follow


() President Donald Trump’s announcement Wednesday that Coca-Cola will switch from high-fructose corn syrup to cane sugar has shaken up the world of sweeteners, raising questions about their health value.

While Coca-Cola officials have yet to confirm the recipe switch-up, CNBC reports that shares of high-fructose corn syrup producer Archer-Daniels-Midland have begun to fall.

As companies wait for sugar news to settle, here’s a closer look at the difference between the sweeteners.

What’s the difference between cane sugar, high-fructose corn syrup?

According to the Department of Agriculture, cane sugar is derived directly or indirectly from sugarcane, a tall perennial grass that grows in tropical and semitropical climates.

High-fructose corn syrup is a sweetener derived from corn starch that is broken down into glucose, according to the Food and Drug Administration.  

Is cane sugar or high-fructose corn syrup healthier?

Some studies have linked high-fructose corn syrup to elevated fat production and inflammation.

However, the FDA notes on its website that while it receives many inquiries asking about the safety of high-fructose corn syrup, the agency is not aware of any evidence that there is a difference in safety “between foods containing HFCS 42 or HFCS 55 and foods containing similar amounts of other nutritive sweeteners with approximately equal glucose and fructose content, such as sucrose, honey, or other traditional sweeteners.”

Overall, health experts advise against consuming too much of any type of sweetener or added sugars as health risks can include weight gain, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

How does the price compare for cane sugar, high-fructose corn syrup?

High-fructose corn syrup is cheaper than sugar cane. It’s been 41 years since U.S. Coke switched from sugar to cheaper high-fructose corn syrup, resulting from the Ronald Reagan-era sugar import quotas that caused domestic sugar prices to spike.

Get fact-based, unbiased news coverage 24/7 with the app. Download it here.

“The government intervened during the Reagan administration and signed a law that placed high tariffs and quotas on imported cane sugar,” Ben Michael, attorney at Michael & Associates, told Reader’s Digest. “And U.S. trade policies still limit sugar imports to this day.”

According to the USDA, most of the sugarcane produced in the United States comes from Florida, Louisiana and Texas. According to the USDA, since the mid-2000’s sugarbeets have accounted for 55% to 60% of the sugar produced in the U.S.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Illinois Governor Pritzker Set to Sign Executive Order Impacting Federal Troop Deployments

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is set to issue an executive order on…

Kim Kardashian Opens Up About Experiencing Stockholm Syndrome During Marriage with Kanye West

Kim Kardashian has candidly discussed her life following her divorce from Kanye…

Mother of US Chess Grandmaster Addresses Ongoing Inquiries into Son’s Death as Russian Competitor Under Investigation

The mother of former grandmaster chess player Daniel Naroditsky has publicly addressed…

Star-Studded Gala Honors Misty Copeland’s Iconic Farewell with American Ballet Theatre in NYC

Misty Copeland graced the stage one final time on Wednesday, captivating a…

Louisiana Man Charged for Allegedly Supporting Hamas After Connection to Israel Attack

A key suspect tied to the October 2023 Hamas-led terror assault on…

Tragic Triple Homicide Shakes Exclusive California Neighborhood: Adult Son Charged

A Newport Beach resident, aged 34, has been found guilty of the…

London Woman Faces £150 Fine for Disposing Coffee in Storm Drain Before Boarding Bus

A London woman’s morning routine took an unexpected turn when she was…

Heartwarming Rescue: Los Angeles Woman and Teddy Bear Saved from Drainage Hole Adventure

In the early hours of Wednesday, a woman was found clutching a…