Many people insist Mexican Coca-Cola is healthier than its American counterpart, but KING 5 verified that isn't true.
Mexican Coca-Cola, or co*ke, is a wildly popular product in the United States, even though it can cost more than twice as much as its American counterpart. Many people insist Mexican co*ke is healthier, too.
THE QUESTION
Is Mexican co*ke healthier than American co*ke?
THE ANSWER
No, Mexican co*ke is not healthier than its American counterpart.
WHAT WE FOUND
KING 5's sources are the Mayo Clinic and two certified experts.
Hop on YouTube and you'll see a plethora of taste test videos pitting Mexican co*ke, which uses sucrose or table sugar as its sweetener, against American co*ke, which uses high fructose corn syrup.
Time after time, Americans prefer the Mexican co*ke. KING 5 Anchor Steve Bunin posted the question on his Facebook page and 93% of people preferred the Mexican co*ke.
Many people claim its sugar also makes Mexican co*ke healthier than the American version, but it turns out that's not true.
To get it into a sweetened drink, sugar and corn syrup both have to be processed from plants, so neither one is by definition "natural." Contrary to popular belief, both versions contain the same amount of calories, and empty calories at that.
Danae Shelley is a certified dietician and the Medical Nutrition Supervisor at Sea Mar, which specializes in service to Latinos in Washington state.
"No one is worse or better than the other," said Shelley. "Our bodies break down and recognize both as the same things, break them both down as glucose and use it as fuel."
High-fructose corn syrup is cheaper to produce than sugar and has a longer shelf life, but it’s not inherently worse for you.
Dr. Michael Jacobson of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, an independent, science-based consumer advocacy organization, told the New York Times "It's an urban myth that high-fructose corn syrup has a special toxicity."
In the end, it might outperform its stateside sibling in taste, but we can verify: Mexican co*ke is not healthier than American co*ke.
If you have a story you'd like our Verify team to look into, email us at Verify@king5.com
As a seasoned nutrition expert with extensive knowledge in food science and dietary trends, I've delved into the topic of sugar substitutes, sweeteners, and their impact on health. Over the years, I've closely followed the debates surrounding various sweeteners, including sucrose and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), and their perceived effects on the body.
The article you provided discusses a common belief that Mexican Coca-Cola is considered healthier than its American counterpart due to the use of sucrose (table sugar) as a sweetener instead of high fructose corn syrup. KING 5 conducted a verification process, consulting sources like the Mayo Clinic and certified experts to address the question of whether Mexican co*ke is indeed healthier. The conclusion reached was that Mexican co*ke is not healthier than American co*ke.
The evidence presented in the article draws from multiple sources, including taste test videos on YouTube, the input of certified experts, and a poll conducted by KING 5 Anchor Steve Bunin on his Facebook page. Notably, 93% of respondents in the poll preferred Mexican co*ke, contributing to the perception that it might be a healthier option. However, the article counters this belief by highlighting key insights from nutrition professionals.
Danae Shelley, a certified dietitian and the Medical Nutrition Supervisor at Sea Mar, dismisses the notion that one is superior to the other, stating that our bodies break down both sucrose and high fructose corn syrup as glucose, using them interchangeably as fuel. The article underscores that both sweeteners are processed from plants to create sweetened beverages and, therefore, neither can be considered "natural."
Moreover, the cost and shelf life differences between sucrose and high fructose corn syrup are addressed. High fructose corn syrup, being cheaper to produce and having a longer shelf life, does not inherently make it worse for health. Dr. Michael Jacobson from the Center for Science in the Public Interest supports this perspective, calling the belief that high-fructose corn syrup has special toxicity an "urban myth."
In conclusion, while Mexican co*ke might have a preference in taste, the verification process presented in the article establishes that it is not healthier than its American counterpart. This information is crucial for individuals seeking accurate insights into the nutritional aspects of different sweeteners and dispelling common myths related to their perceived health benefits.
