Calorie-free sugar substitutes or commonly referred to as artificial sweeteners have long been subjected to controversies concerning their safety when used in lieu of ordinary sugar. While most researches indeed show that these compounds can be dangerous, there are some independent studies showing that the benefits associated with artificial sweetener use can readily outweigh the risks especially among individuals who are in dire need of losing weight. There are certain benefits enjoyed with the use of one of the most common artificial sweeteners known as Acesulfame-K which are not necessarily available in some other health supplement compounds, making it, at a certain dose, essential as a supplement ingredient.
What is Acesulfame-K?
Known in chemistry as Acesulfame potassium, Acesulfame-K or Ace K is a crystalline powder used in the manufacture of various foods and beverages including soda and candies. Its discovery in the latter years of the 1960’s is rather accidental but it has received approval for table top use in as early as the 1980’s in the United States. Acesulfame-K is a well-known artificial sweetener, having sweetness 200 times as that of an ordinary sugar. Despite the issues on the safety of artificial sweetener use as a whole, Acesulfame-K has been shown to be potentially safe within recommended doses in almost 90 independent studies.
Health Benefits of using Acesulfame-K supplements
Aside from being included in several products, Acesulfame-K is also a component of certain health supplement brands as it is shown to provide significant health benefits. Some of the advantages of taking supplements containing Acesulfame-K include the following:
- It may prevent obesity
Obesity is a dangerous condition. Aside from changing the appearance, the condition may also cause alternations and obstructions in the normal bodily processes including glucose entry in the key receptors of the cells. Obesity, according to experts, is best prevented by lowering caloric intake. Since Acesulfame-K is an artificial agent which contains very low caloric levels, it is intended for use among obese and overweight individuals to prevent accumulation of excessive fats in body cells.
- It may prevent Diabetes mellitus
One of the reasons why Diabetes Mellitus results among adult individuals is the excessive intake of calories which are stored in the body and accumulates in the key receptors of the body cells. Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 is among the many diseases sought to be prevented through the regular use of artificial sweeteners. Several studies have already shown the efficiency of Acesulfame-K in terms of preventing Diabetes among animal subjects.
- It may reduce appetite
Acesulfame-K is also believed to be a potential weight loss aid as it helps suppress appetite and promote fatty reserves breakdown. There are no evidences available to date to explain how Acesulfame-K can be associated with appetite suppression.
Conclusion
Excessive use of Acesulfame-K may be dangerous but when taken regularly within recommended doses, it can be very useful. Individuals with certain health conditions need to seek physician’s advice prior to use.
