John Myers
The sweetener acesulfame enables calorie-free sweetening of food and drinks. Due to its heat resistance, it is particularly suitable for baking and cooking. Find out from us what you should bear in mind and also what you should know about the E 950.
What is acesulfame K?
Acesulfame or acesulfame K is a synthetic sweetener whose sweetening power is around 200 times that of table sugar. The additive can be found in numerous low-energy and sugar-free foods such as chewing gum, spreads, sweets, preserves, diet drinks, diabetic products, and sauces. Acesulfame K – the K stands for potassium salt – is also available as a powder or liquid sweetener or in tablet form. Like many other additives in food, the sweetener has a European approval number and can therefore be found on lists of ingredients under the designation “E 950”. By law, acesulfame may only be added to certain foods – and only up to a certain maximum amount. Depending on the product, this is 25 to 2500 milligrams per kilogram or liter. If no more than 9 milligrams per kilogram of body weight are consumed daily, acesulfame K is not considered harmful.
Pros and cons of acesulfame
Whether acesulfame K is healthy and not just harmless cannot be said with certainty. Sweeteners generally help with calorie savings and reduce the risk of tooth decay, but in larger quantities, they can also have a laxative effect. Since acesulfame is often combined with aspartame and other sweeteners, this can happen if you consume a lot of corresponding foods. Some experts are critical of the use of acesulfame & co., as they can make the taste sweeter and could encourage cravings. There is no scientific evidence that the substance is carcinogenic. If you suffer from fructose intolerance, you can use the sweetener without hesitation.
How can acesulfame be used as a sweetener?
Since acesulfame is heat-stable, it is very suitable for baking and cooking without sugar. This does not apply to all sweeteners: Sucralose (E 955), which is often used in protein powders, should not be heated above 120 degrees, as harmful compounds can form. Do you like baking high-protein treats with low-carb protein powders, so better make sure they’re sweetened with acesulfame or another heat-stable sugar substitute? Regarding the dosage of acesulfame, simply follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you only use acesulfame or eat something sweetened with it, the sweet taste in your mouth will only last for a short time. This is normal and also the reason why the food industry uses several sweeteners together.
