What is Acesulfame Potassium

Acesulfame Potassium is :

Acesulfame potassium is a calorie-free artificial sweetener, also known as Acesulfame K or Ace K (K being the symbol for potassium), and marketed under the trade names Sunett and Sweet One. In the European Union, it is known under the E number (additive code) E950. It was discovered accidentally in 1967 by German chemist Karl Clauss at Hoechst AG (now Nutrinova).[1] In chemical structure, acesulfame potassium is the potassium salt of 6-methyl-1,2,3- oxathiazine-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide. It is a white crystalline powder with molecular formula C4H4KNO4S and a molecular weight of 201.24.[2]


Safety Concerns
As with aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, and other sweeteners that are sweeter than common sugars, there is concern over the safety of acesulfame potassium. Although studies of these sweeteners show varying and controversial degrees of dietary safety, the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has approved these for use as general-purpose sweetening agents. Critics of the use of acesulfame potassium say the chemical has not been studied adequately and may be carcinogenic, although these claims have been dismissed by the USFDA[5] and by equivalent authorities in the European Union.[6]

Several potential problems associated with the use of acesulfame have been raised. They are based largely on animal studies since testing on humans remains limited. The findings showed the following:

Acesulfame K has been shown to stimulate insulin secretion in rats in a dose dependent fashion thereby possibly aggravating reactive hypoglycemia ("low blood sugar attacks").[7]
Rodent studies have shown no increased incidence of tumors in response to administration of acesulfame K. [8]

From the Link Below and In Cardio Cocktail..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acesulfame_potassium