Latest news with #AmericanCoke
New York Post
16 hours ago
- Business
- New York Post
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. Advertisement 5 Trump is a fan of Diet Coke, which contains no sugar, but rather artificial sweeteners like aspartame. AFP via Getty Images '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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement '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. 5 Coca-Cola already uses cane sugar in some US-sold beverages, like its lemonade. Picture Partners – What is high fructose corn syrup? It's a liquid sweetener made from corn starch. Advertisement 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. 5 High fructose corn syrup is the dominant sweetener in many processed foods and beverages sold in the US. PR Image Factory – 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. 'Both cane sugar and HFCS are linked to heart disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases when consumed in excessive amounts,' Schiff said. 5 Coca-Cola is the latest company to take action on the Trump Administration's MAHA initiative. REUTERS Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. 5 Coca-Cola's new drink containing cane sugar will be launched in the US in the fall. Getty Images Advertisement 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. Advertisement 'The bottom line: Use less of both,' she said. 'Much less.' 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.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
MIKEY SMITH: 5 unhinged Donald Trump moments as Epstein row takes unexpected twist
Last night there was a twist in the Epstein row that nobody expected - and it's really unclear how it'll shake out What's going on with my 'guys', and in some cases, 'gals'? Last night there was a twist in the Epstein row that nobody expected - and it's really unclear how it'll shake out. Meanwhile, Trump continued to call his most active supporters "stupid". And he's so determined to reduce the trade deficit with Mexico that he's convinced Coca-Cola to use real sugar - despite howls of protest from farmers. Here's all that, plus more things that happened in Trump world overnight. 1. The Epstein row took an unexpected turn last night The Justice department last night fired a federal prosecutor who worked on the Jeffrey Epstein case - and signed the order to seal FBI documents relating to the case. No explanation was given, but the prosecutor has a very familiar name. Maurene Comey is the daughter of James Comey, the former director of the FBI who Trump infamously fired in his first term - and has pursued a furious vendetta against since. As well as successfully prosecuting Epstein, she was involved in the cases against Diddy and Ghislaine Maxwell. 2. Make Coke Great Again Clearly keen for the American people to see him concentrating on the important stuff, Trump declared he'd convinced the Coca-Cola company to start using real sugar in the beverage again. While cane sugar - as is used in Coke in the UK - is undeniably superior to the corn syrup used to sweeten the drink in the United States, the farming industry had something to say about the announcement. "Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar doesn't make sense," said Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode. "Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and boost imports of foreign sugar, all with no nutritional benefit." A huge amount of America's farming infrastructure is built around subsidising the cultivation of corn, which is used to make the high-fructose corn syrup used in hundreds of processed foods. This is likely to have come not from Trump's desire to make American Coke taste better - he famously drinks Diet Coke anyway - but from Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr's obsession with removing processed foods from the American diet. 3. Trump was 'surprised' that Jerome Powell was made Fed Chair. This is odd for a very important reason During an event with the Crown Prince of Bahrain last night, Trump was playing a bit of Hokey Cokey about whether he'll try and fire the chairman of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell. First of all, he's not allowed to do that. The Supreme Court ruled on that a couple of weeks ago. Yet he reportedly asked a group of Republican congressmen whether he should do it - even brandishing the letter he'd use to commit the putsch, it's claimed. Then, about 15 minutes after reports of the planned ouster were began to circulate, he went on camera with the boss of Bahrain and said, actually, nah. He had no plans to fire Powell, unless it was for something like fraud. And he went on a long rant about how Powell is supposedly overseeing the refurb of the Federal Reserve, and claiming there are cost overruns and huge spending planned. It didn't stop him having a lengthy pop at Powell, whom he's mad at for not lowering interest rates. And then he made a startling comment, that if it'd been Biden would have been used as evidence of mental decline. "I was surprised he was appointed," Trump said. Which is he appointed him, during his first term in office. He was re-appointed by Joe Biden for a second term, but he was a Trump pick in the first place. 4. He called his own supporters 'stupid' Trump had already had a pop at a chunk of his fans on Truth Social, saying they'd fallen for a "hoax" in believing another shoe was yet to drop in the Epstein investigation, and adding: "I don't want their support anymore!" To recap, Attorney General Pam Bondi is under mounting pressure from MAGA supporters to release more documents relating to the dead paedophile, which they believe include a "client list" of prominent associates. But Bondi has denied any such list exists - despite having said in an interview that it was "on my desk waiting for review". And in the last few days, Trump has pivoted from "we've already shown you everything, stop talking about it" to "it's all a hoax. Biden and Comey made it up." Last night in the Oval he doubled down - branding some of his most ardent supporters "stupid." "It's all been a big hoax, it's perpetrated by the Democrats, and some stupid Republicans and foolish Republicans fall into the net. That's how they do the Democrats' work." Get Donald Trump updates straight to your WhatsApp! As the world attempts to keep up with Trump's antics, the Mirror has launched its very own US Politics WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest news from across the pond. We'll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 5. Elmo got defunded Trump's Republicans in the Senate passed a bill slashing $9 billion from public spending - including deep cuts to foreign aid, NPR and PBS. NPR, for those who don't know, basically invented good podcasts. And PBS? Well. PBS has been the home of Sesame Street since 1969 (Kind of. Netflix gets the episodes first these days). And it's where people in the US of A can watch Downton Abbey and Doctor Who. Anyway, Trump hates both of them because they report the news factually. The legislation, which now moves to the House, would have a tiny impact on the nation's rising debt but could have major ramifications for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and US food aid internationally. It also could complicate efforts to pass additional spending bills this year, as Democrats and even some Republicans voice objections to broadly ceding congressional spending power with little idea of how the White House Office of Management and Budget would apply the cuts. (Don't panic, after the Netflix deal, Elmo will probably be fine. Dr Who fans probably less so)
AU Financial Review
6 days ago
- Business
- AU Financial Review
Trump says Coca-Cola will use real sugar in flagship drink
Washington | Make American Coke Great Again? President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) that Coca-Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar in its flagship soft drink in the US at his suggestion — though the company didn't confirm such a move.
Int'l Business Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
'You'll see. It's just better!': Trump Mocked After Push to Make 'Mexican Coke' American
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he has persuaded Coca-Cola to use cane sugar in Coke sold in the United States, making the product more like the brand's popular Mexican import. "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 Truth Social. "This will be a very good move by them — You'll see. It's just better!" The announcement comes amid the administration's "Make America Healthy Again" initiative. The campaign, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has targeted food companies with pressure to eliminate artificial ingredients and additives. Standard Coca-Cola sold in the U.S. is typically sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, while cane sugar is used in Coke sold in countries like Mexico—leading many American fans to seek out "Mexican Coke" for its taste. "Does he know this is called Mexican Coke?" an X user asked, while multiple users exclaimed, "Make Mexican Coke Great Again!" Other slogans included "Make Coke Mexican Again," "Make Mexican Coke American Again," and "Make American Coke Mexican Again." One user pondered, "So now that Trump says it do we rename it 'American Coke?'" "Trump's ongoing madness has sparked a movement to make Mexican Coke all-American?" asked another. "You can buy 'Mexican' coke from any big box retail location in the US and have been able to for years," noted one user, who implied Trump had been played. "They made him think this was because of him." Some critics suggested the announcement was a distraction from more serious issues, including renewed public pressure on the administration to release information from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. "I swear to God if Mexican Coke makes you all forget about Epstein I'm going to lose it," wrote one user.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump says Coca-Cola will use real sugar in its US flagship drink. The company isn't confirming that
WASHINGTON (AP) — Make American Coke Great Again? President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Coca-Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar in its flagship soft drink in the U.S. at his suggestion — though the company didn't confirm such a move. Any switch from high-fructose corn syrup in Coke sold in the United States would put Coca-Cola more in line with its practice in other countries, including Mexico and Australia. But it wouldn't affect Donald Trump's drink of choice, Diet Coke, which uses aspartame as a calorie-free beverage. '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 social media site. 'I'd like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola. This will be a very good move by them — You'll see. It's just better!' A spokesperson for Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Co. said in a statement that the company appreciated Trump's enthusiasm and promised that more details on new offerings within its products would be shared soon. Coca-Cola didn't elaborate. But the company has long indulged U.S. fans of cane sugar by importing glass bottles of Mexican Coke to the U.S. since 2005. Returning to sugar in U.S. production, meanwhile, might affect the nation's corn farmers, whose yields are used in artificial sweeteners. 'Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar doesn't make sense," Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode said in a statement. "President Trump stands for American manufacturing jobs, American farmers, and reducing the trade deficit. Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and boost imports of foreign sugar, all with no nutritional benefit.' Trump himself is such a fan of Diet Coke that that he had a red button installed on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office that he can press to have a White House butler bring one in for him. Despite his fondness for Diet Coke, his relationship with the company hasn't always been sweet. In a series of posts in 2012, Trump suggested diet soda might be connected to weight gain before eventually writing, 'The Coca Cola company is not happy with me — that's okay, I'll still keep drinking that garbage.' A bottle of Diet Coke could be seen sitting next to his chair years later, at a G20 summit in 2017. And The New York Times reported in 2018 that he was drinking a dozen Diet Cokes daily. __ Associated Press writer Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit and Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, contributed to this story.
