Tag: Soft drink sweeteners

According to a 2022 study published by ResearchGate, a significant portion of the soluble carbohydrates found in commercial Coca-Cola products consists of reducing sugars like glucose and fructose. The type of sweetener used, however, can vary widely based on your geographical location and the specific bottling plant.

Yes, unlike its American counterpart, Coca-Cola Classic sold in Australia is sweetened with cane sugar. This is a key difference that leads many to believe the Australian version has a distinct and preferable taste profile compared to the high-fructose corn syrup-sweetened Coke found in the United States.

In 1984, the Coca-Cola Company, along with Pepsi, officially announced the full switch from sugar to high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) for their beverages, including Sprite, a change motivated primarily by cost-efficiency. This move came years after the initial introduction of HFCS into the soda market and marked a significant shift in the sweetener landscape for major U.S. soft drinks.

For decades, high-fructose corn syrup has been the most widely used sweetener in regular soft drinks in the U.S.. Beyond the familiar table sugar, a wide array of sweeteners are now used in both regular and diet versions, each with distinct properties and health implications. So, what sweetener is used in soft drinks?