President Donald Trump recently announced that Coca-Cola has agreed to switch from high-fructose corn syrup to cane sugar in its signature drink in the US. However, experts say it’s not about whether the sweetener itself is healthier, but rather how much you consume.
The switch to cane sugar is a step in the right direction, according to Julia Zumpano, a registered dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic. “No matter what, high sugar intake has been linked to all of the negative health effects,” she said. High-fructose corn syrup, commonly used in processed foods and drinks, converts glucose into fructose, leading to fatty liver and metabolic issues.
Cane sugar, on the other hand, is a disaccharide composed of one glucose and one fructose molecule. While it has less fructose than high-fructose corn syrup, its impact on health still depends on consumption context.
Angela Zivkovic, a professor and nutritionist at the University of California, Davis Agricultural Experiment Station, emphasized that consuming high amounts of sugar-sweetened beverages can lead to weight gain and metabolic issues. “If you’re sedentary and consume a lot of sugary foods, excess fuel is stored as fat,” she said.
While switching to cane sugar may slow down absorption slightly, it’s unlikely to significantly improve health outcomes. Both sweeteners can be unhealthy when consumed frequently and in large amounts. Zumpano suggested that Coca-Cola and other companies could use this opportunity to reduce overall sugar content in their products by a quarter or more.
Ultimately, the key is to consume less sugar, regardless of the sweetener used. By reducing sugar intake, individuals can mitigate negative health effects associated with high-fructose corn syrup and other sugary beverages.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/trump-coca-cola-switching-high-fructose-corn-syrup/story?id=123827599