Two nutritionists discover the difference between a U.S. and a European soft drink: “There are four different names for sugar”

The French TV channel TF1 conducted a simple, revealing experiment. It brought together two nutritionists – Arleija William and Mara Davis – to compare soft drinks sold in Europe with their US counterparts, highlighting the similarities and, more importantly, the differences. The results were unequivocal: North American sodas contain significantly more sugar than those sold in Europe.

“The French version contains no artificial coloring. The American version contains 73 grams of sugar. But we shouldn’t consume more than 20 grams of sugar a day,” said Arleija William. “The American soda contains five times more sugar than the French one,” added Mara Davis. At first glance, the scales clearly tip in favor of Europe when it comes to the ‘healthier’ option.

Why is there more sugar in U.S. drinks?

Another key difference is the calorie count. According to European labeling, continental soft drinks generally use slightly ‘healthier’ ingredients compared to American sodas. “The French version has fewer calories, more protein, healthier ingredients, and the labeling is much clearer. In the US version, there are four different terms used just for sugar,” the two nutritionists agreed.

So why are products that appear nearly identical on the surface so different? One major reason is the more lenient US legislation, which stands in stark contrast to stricter European Union regulations. Across Europe, many health experts have led awareness campaigns to reduce excessive sugar consumption, and that has shaped the rules.

A growing public health crisis

The United States is facing a widespread public health crisis linked to excessive consumption of saturated fats, sugars, and salt. It’s estimated that nearly three-quarters of the population exceed the recommended limits, and almost 80% don’t eat enough fruits, vegetables, or dairy.

“Up to 32 chronic diseases have been linked to the overconsumption of ultra-processed foods. This is an epidemic in the United States. It’s also spreading to Europe and the rest of the world. And it’s all because of our eating habits. This can’t go on – we can’t afford it anymore. It’s going to collapse our social security systems,” warned researcher Kevin Hall in an interview with TF1.

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