Alternative sweeteners have been a very hot topic in the health community lately. They are seemingly miracles that allow you to enjoy the sweetness you desire but with zero calories. There are many different types of chemical sweeteners that have been gaining ground. Two of these are aspartame, which is perhaps the most talked about, and Acesulfame potassium. Let’s take a look at what each of these are and the effects they have on our bodies.
All About Aspartame
1. What It Is
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener and is used as a common sugar substitute. It was discovered in 1965 and has become one of the most studied food ingredients of all time. It is very low calorie and approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar. It is currently present in over 6,000 products and consumed by over 150 million people worldwide.
2. What It’s In
The safety of aspartame, which is chemically a methyl ester of the aspartic acid/phenylalanine dipeptide. These chemicals have been the focus of many political and medical debates due to the effects it has shown to have on the body. It is currently in a very wide range of products. Some of these are:
Sugar Free Drinks
Sugar Free Pudding/ Jell-o
Equal Sweetener
Low Sugar Syrup/Jellies
All Types Of Wrigley’s Chewing Gum
And many other low sugar/sugar free products
3. Side Effects
Aspartame is the cause of nearly 75 percent of negative reactions to food additives. The FDA has documented over 90 different medical problems that are related to consuming aspartame. Seizures, memory loss, irritability, muscle spasms, insomnia, rashes, slurred speech, and migraines are just some of the less severe effects that have been reported. There is a number of diseases and other chronic illnesses that have also been linked to aspartame including lymphoma, brain tumors, and diabetes.
4. Avoidance
The safest path when it comes to aspartame is to try to avoid it all together. You can do this by removing any sugar free or artificially sweetened foods and drinks from your diet. Increasing your water intake can also help to flush your system of any aspartame if you do consume it.
Acesulfame Potassium Overview
1. Basics
Acesulfame potassium, commonly known as Acesulfame K or Ace K, is a calorie free artificial sweetener. It was accidentally discovered in 1967 by Karl Clauss when he had to substance on his fingers and licked them to pick up a piece of paper. It is known by it’s manufacturing names Sunett and Sweet One.
2. Science
Ace K is a salt made from potassium that contains methylene chloride. It is 200 times sweeter than sucrose, similar to aspartame. When present in high concentrations it has a very bitter aftertaste that can be counteracted by sodium ferulate.
3. What?
Just about anything can contain Acesulfame potassium, it’s important to look at the ingredients of foods if you are trying to avoid this genetically modified sweetener. Some common things that contain Ace K is:
Ice Creams
Breakfast Cereal
Condiments
Soups
Beverage Concentrates
Carbonated Beverages
Jams
Chewing Gums
Alcoholic Beverages
4. Risks
The biggest risk associated with Ace K and other similar alternative sweeteners is their carcinogenic makeup. Carcinogens are known to promote the development of cancer cells. Other things associated with the consumption of Ace K are migraine headaches, respiratory diseases, and psychological issues. Acesulfame potassium can also aggravate hypoglycemic attacks.
Difference Between Aspartame and Acesulfame Potassium
1. Testing
The biggest difference between these two artificial sweeteners is the amount of scrutiny they have received from the science and medical community. Aspartame is very widely talked about and has become one of the most tested food additives of all time. Acesulfame potassium on the other hand, has had very little testing done on it’s effects. Both have been passed by the FDA, however.
2. Sweetness
This is more of a similarity than a difference. Both Ace K and aspartame are roughly 200 times sweeter than sugar. One difference when it comes to the way each taste is that Acesulfame potassium has a very bitter after taste that is not present with aspartame.