Americans are always talking about Mexican Coke because it doesn’t contain high fructose corn syrup.

And President Donald Trump has gotten in on the action, saying he has convinced Coca-Cola to change its recipe back to cane sugar because ‘it’s just better!’.

But now dietitians are weighing in, saying that even if the recipe is changed, the country’s most popular soda will be as unhealthy as ever — and it could even leave the drink containing more calories.

Dr Marion Nestle, a top nutritionist at New York University, told DailyMail.com: ‘As I have been saying, the switch is nutritionally hilarious. 

‘Both sweeteners are made of glucose and fructose, taste the same and do the same bad things to metabolism when consumed in excess. 

‘A 12-ounce Coke has 39 grams of either one. That’s excessive. High fructose corn syrup has a bad reputation because it is cheaper and used in loads of ultra-processed foods.’

In fact, some experts are warning that Trump’s promotion of Mexican Coke could actually make America’s obesity crisis worse, as people will see it as a green light to drink more because they think it is healthier. 

Coca-Cola is the most popular soft drink in the country, with every American drinking an estimated 120 cans of the beverage every year.

President Donald Trump says he has convinced Coca-Cola to change its recipe back to cane sugar because ‘it’s just better!’.

It has been made using high fructose corn syrup since the 1980s, which is made from processed field corn, although in some countries like the UK and Mexico the drink is still made using the original cane sugar.

Coca-Cola is yet to reveal whether it is changing its recipe in response to the president’s request, but added that it appreciated his enthusiasm and that more updates would be revealed soon. 

On the nutrition label, both cane sugar and high fructose corn syrup-sweetened Coca-Colas are virtually identical in terms of calories and sugar content.

A standard 355-milliliter bottle of Mexican Coke contains about 150 calories, 39 grams (g) of sugar and 85 milligrams (mg) of salt.

For comparison, the same-size bottle of US Coca-Cola made with high fructose corn syrup contains 140 calories, 39g of sugar and 45mg of salt.

And dietitians say that studies suggest both have similar impacts on someone’s health.

Abbey Sharp, a registered dietitian in Canada, told the BBC’s The World Tonight: ‘In terms of calories, we are looking at exactly the same amount of calories.

‘It is true that we have evidence that high levels of fructose, especially in liquid form, as we see in… coke, [are] associated with insulin resistance, fatty liver disease and high triglyceride levels.

The president said he has been speaking with Coke executives about a recipe change (Pictured: Trump receiving the first ever Presidential Commemorative Inaugural Diet Coke bottle from the Chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola Company, James Quincey in January 2025)

‘But sucrose, the cane sugar that Trump wants to put into the Coca-Cola is not benign to this eight because… it is 50 percent fructose.’

High fructose corn syrup used in soft drinks contains about 55 percent fructose, or a simple sugar the body converts into energy, while cane sugar used in soft drinks is about 50 percent made up of the substance.

Over-consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages has been linked to a higher risk of obesity and associated conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

The FDA recommends not consuming more than 1.7 ounces of sugar per day, equivalent to 1.25 Coca-Colas per day.

And the American Heart Association says men should consume no more than 1.3-oz or 150 calories of sugar per day while women should consume no more than 0.8-oz or 100 calories of sugar per day, less than one can of Coca-Cola.

Asked why people think of Mexican Coke as being healthier, Sharp said: ‘I think the villainization of high fructose corn syrup over sucrose has a lot more to do with our appeals to nature fallacy than any really good hard evidence.

‘We tend to see cane sugar, which is derived from sugar cane and sugar beets, as more close to nature, to plants, and we see that as more natural than high fructose corn syrup.

‘[That is] despite the fact that both of these are highly processed and they virtually have the same outcomes on our body and on our health.’ 

She added: ‘In fact, I might even argue there is a good possibility that this could do more harm because this is now essentially being promoted as quote unquote a healthier version of coke.

Coca-Cola is the most popular soft drink in the country, with every American drinking an estimated 120 cans of the beverage every year

Pictured: Donald Trump eating McDonalds and drinking Diet Coke on board his private jet 

‘So people might think that they are being given this green light to drink more of it.’ 

Dr Sandip Sachar, a New York-based board-certified dentist, told DailyMail.com: ‘Both sweeteners, cane sugar and high fructose corn syrup, are nearly identical in their impact on oral health. 

‘They feed cavity-causing bacteria which leads to acid production that erodes tooth enamel and causes tooth decay. Whether the sugar comes from cane or corn, it feeds the same biological process in the mouth.

‘There is some evidence that suggests that high fructose corn syrup may be slightly stickier and potentially cause more plaque buildup than cane sugar. But from a clinical perspective, both sweeteners are harmful in similar ways.

‘The real issue is continued over consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, regardless of the sweetener.’

Trump is a famous fan of Diet Coke, and even reportedly had a red button installed on his White House desk to allow him to quickly request a fresh beverage.  

Many supporters of the ‘Make America Healthy Again’ movement have long pressured food manufacturers to use cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup in their products. 

Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy, who does not deny that cane sugar is also unhealthy, has also long spoken out about HFCS as part of his campaign against ultra-processed foods. 

President Donald Trump pictured here drinking a Diet Coke, his favorite drink, in 2021

Despite President Trump championing the recipe change, Coca-Cola has not issued confirmation of such a switch

But despite the HHS and his followers’ claims, doctors say that changing the recipe of one of America’s most beloved drinks will increase cases of obesity, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. 

According to Avery Zenker, a registered dietitian, cane sugar is nearly 100 percent sucrose – making it the no different from regular table sugar and poses the same dangers to the body. 

They told CBS News: ‘Despite minor differences in chemical structure and metabolism, both cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup have similar health impacts when consumed in excess, especially in the form of sugar-sweetened beverages like soda.’ 

A 2022 study found that both HFCS and cane sugar have similar impacts on weight and body composition markers, including waist circumference, body mass index (BMI) and fat mass. 

The study also found similar impacts on cholesterol, triglycerides (a type of fat found in the blood) and blood pressure.

According to the American Heart Association, men should consume no more than 36 grams or 150 calories of sugar per day while women should consume no more than 25 grams or 100 calories of sugar per day.