What is Acesulfame Potassium

Artificial sweeteners have gained a lot of popularity in recent times. They are called fat free sweeteners because they do not have calorific content and are just used to make the edibles sweet. Acesulfame potassium also comes under this category. Acesulfame potassium is actually an artificial sweetener which is commonly known as Acesulfame K or Ace K where K denotes potassium. It was discovered in the year 1967 by the chemist Karl Clauss and was approved in the year 1988. It is around 200 times sweeter than the natural sucrose sugar. Let's find some more information about this artificial sweetener.

What is Acesulfame Potassium Made From

Acesulfame potassium is a chemical compound which is not metabolized by the body and is excreted as it is hence it can be called a calorie free or fat free sweetener. It is made up of acetoacetic acid and potassium which forms a highly stable and crystalline compound and is used as a sweetener. It can also be called a potassium salt of 6-methyl-1,2,3-oxathiazine-4(3H)-one,2,2-dioxide and its molecular formula is C₄H₄KNO₄S. This compound is as sweet as aspartame which is also an artificial sweetener. There is one difference which makes acesulfame more appropriate than aspartame and that is the stability of Ace K. In baked items, aspartame cannot be used as it may break down at a particular temperature but Ace K, because of its high stability is very useful in making the baked items sweet. Ace K is also very helpful in masking the bitter taste of some of the sweeteners like sodium ferulate.

Acesulfame Potassium Benefits and Uses

Ace K is a very good and strong sweetener. Its taste is so intense that even a small amount of this compound can bring the desired sweetness in the product. This in turn benefits the industries making products which are fat free and sugar free. Following are some other benefits of this compound.

• Due to the highly stable nature of Ace K, it can be very useful in the products which are prepared in a high temperature like baked items. This property also makes them suitable for the preservation of products at higher temperatures.
• This sugar substitute is calorie free because it is not metabolized and absorbed by the human body. Hence it is excreted by the body and just helps in enhancing the taste of the product.
• Unlike other sugar compounds, Ace K does not undergo fermentation as it is not attacked by the microbes like bacteria. This gives the compound a longer shelf life.
• As it is an artificial sweetener it is very good for the people who are suffering from diabetes and other diseases which are related to higher sugar levels. There have been many researches on this compound and it has been observed that acesulfame K has no effect on cholesterol, glucose or triglycerides levels. Consumption of acesulfame potassium in pregnancy is also considered safe by the FDA. But it should not be used in every meal.
• Ace K has intense sweetness, hence a small amount is enough for getting the desired taste. It is also used to mask the bitterness of some of the sweeteners.
• With Ace K you will not have the danger of tooth decay as it is not consumed by the bacteria which cause tooth problems. Hence the people with tooth problems or those worried about getting tooth decay can have the products made from this compound.

Acesulfame Potassium Side Effects

There are many queries and doubts related to acesulfame potassium dangers among the people. There have been many researches conducted to monitor the effects of acesulfame potassium on animals. These researches show that there are many dangerous acesulfame potassium side effects, but as they have not been conducted or tested on human beings they are still under controversy. Well, let's find out some of the common side effects and danger of this compound.

• The compound is not metabolized by the body but it also hampers the ability of the body to metabolize other food products.
• In the production of ace K, methylene chloride - a carcinogenic compound, is used. This may result in the development of cancerous cells. Research on rats has revealed that it may result in lung and breast cancer.
• People suffering from diabetes might think this compound is best for their taste buds but excess usage of this compound may stimulate the release of insulin and result in hypoglycemia.
• Mental confusion, liver and kidney problems, headaches, depression, nausea, dizziness, visual disturbances, etc. are some of its other side effects.

So, we can say that acesulfame potassium is one of the best artificial sweeteners and can be consumed. You just need to limit the consumption as you know about the side effects of this compound. Just take care of the amount consumed and give your taste buds a sweet treat.