Originally published on 7/17/25

Good news, Coke lovers. President Donald Trump recently announced via social media that he would be adding cane sugar back into the popular soft drink. This will be the third time the recipe has changed, and the first time since 1984 that it has included cane sugar and not high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). 

“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,” the 45th and 47th president wrote in a statement on X (formerly known as Twitter). “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!”

And while this change might not seem like a huge deal, using cane sugar will actually sweeten the soda and make it more of a mirror to the highly sought-after Mexican Coke. We look into that further, discuss the potential health benefits and look back at other changes Coke has made to its recipes below. 

A look at how the new Coca-Cola will taste 

In the battle of high fructose corn syrup versus cane sugar, people often prefer the latter because they find it to be more naturally tasting and refreshing. Many soda drinkers also believe that the corn syrup in American Coke leaves a sticky feeling in their mouths, whereas the cane sugar in the Mexican variant is smoother.

However, several others believe that that feeling is more mind over matter, due to the fact that Mexican Coke comes in a glass bottle instead of the red tin can that most Americans are accustomed to. 

Is cane sugar healthier than high fructose corn syrup? 

It is wildly believed that cane sugar is better for you than high fructose corn syrup because it’s more natural. It’s also believed that high-fructose corn syrup can be worse for your overall health. However, the Cleveland Clinic commented on this back in April, stating that it’s all about sugars, not just HFCS. 

“Sugar and other sweeteners, including high fructose corn syrup, don’t benefit your body in any way,” reads their website. “It’s all risk with no reward, physiologically speaking.” 

It was also reported back in 2022 in a National Library of Medicine Study, that all sugars have “long been recognized as a potential environmental risk factor for increased incidence of many non-communicable diseases, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes,” meaning that no matter what sugar you are putting in your body you are opening it up to health risks. 

A look at Coke’s recipe history 

Coca-Cola was founded in May 1886 by Dr. John Pemberton in Atlanta, Georgia, and since then, it has become one of the most popular drinks worldwide. 

At the time of its creation, Coke was made from coca leaves—which do contain cocaine—but that ingredient was removed in 1903 and replaced by leaves leftover from the cocaine removal process. It wasn’t until 1929 that the drug was fully removed from the soft drink. 

Flash forward to 1984, when the soda company once again changed its recipe by replacing cane sugar with high-fructose corn syrup to help make the production process cheaper. Then, in 1985, they changed the entire recipe and debuted “New Coke,” which was featured in Stranger Things Season 3; however, many people disliked it, so the soda company switched back after just 79 days. 

That was the last change Coke made to its original recipe until Wednesday, July 16, when Trump announced that they would be switching back to cane sugar. As of publication, there is no word on when that switch will be happening or how long it will take to totally eliminate the high fructose corn syrup version. 

“We appreciate President Trump’s enthusiasm for our iconic Coca-Cola brand,” the spokeswoman, Michelle Agnew, said in a statement per The New York Times. “More details on new innovative offerings within our Coca-Cola product range will be shared soon.”

If you simply cannot wait for the cane sugar version, though, you can always pick up Mexican Coke today at the grocery store nearest you.

Link to original: https://www.womansworld.com/food-recipes/food-news/coca-cola-to-use-real-sugar-after-41-years-heres-how-it-tastes