And, from what I've read, Coke's statement is not true. HFCS metabolizes differently in our bodies. It's a form of sugar, but not table sugar (sucrose), and apparently shocks the pancreas. Messing with your pancreas can lead to diabetes. I'm not a medical person, so I have no idea how that works. It's just what I read. Actual sugar (sucrose) isn't a health food, but it's easier for your body to metabolize.

The only reason they use HFCS is a combination of two subsidies: one on sugar (making it more expensive in the US through some sort of price guarantee to farmers), and one on corn (making it less expensive in the US). If you travel overseas where those don't exist, you'll find most (all?) soda brands use real sugar (sucrose). You can get real sugar drinks here, but they are either a "craft" or specialty drink/soda, or they are imported (usually from Mexico).

"Mexi-Coke" is pretty common in stores in the Phoenix area, and Costco also carries cases of it.