What Drinks Use Acesulfame K?

December 15, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), acesulfame K is approved for use in a wide variety of food and beverage categories. A common ingredient in many sugar-free and diet products, acesulfame K, also known as Ace-K, is a calorie-free sweetener that is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar. It is often blended with other sweeteners to improve taste and remove the slightly bitter aftertaste it can have alone.

Quick Summary

Acesulfame K, or Ace-K, is a calorie-free sweetener frequently used in combination with other artificial sweeteners in a wide range of beverages, from diet and zero-sugar sodas to energy drinks, fruit juices, and drink mixes.

Key Points

Prevalence: Acesulfame K, or Ace-K, is a very common artificial sweetener found in a vast array of diet and zero-sugar beverages.
Common Combinations: Due to its slightly bitter aftertaste when used alone, Ace-K is almost always blended with other sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose to create a more balanced flavor.
Beverage Categories: You can find Ace-K in diet and zero-sugar sodas, energy drinks, fruit juices, instant drink mixes, and protein shakes.
Heat Stability: Acesulfame K is heat-stable, which makes it suitable for both hot and cold beverages and gives products a long shelf life.
Labeling: Look for "acesulfame potassium," "acesulfame K," or "Ace-K" on the ingredient list of packaged beverages.
Safety Profile: Major health organizations consider Ace-K safe for consumption within recommended daily intake limits, though some debate exists regarding long-term effects.

Acesulfame K: A Widespread Sweetener

Acesulfame K is a synthetic sweetener that has become a staple in the food and beverage industry since its discovery in 1967. Its high stability under heat makes it useful for products that require a long shelf life, including beverages. While it's 200 times sweeter than table sugar, it is often combined with other sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose to create a more balanced and palatable flavor profile.

Carbonated Soft Drinks

One of the most common applications for acesulfame K is in diet and zero-sugar sodas. Its ability to create a sweet taste without adding calories makes it a key ingredient for manufacturers aiming to reduce sugar content. Many major beverage companies use Ace-K in their sugar-free options.

Coca-Cola Zero Sugar: Uses a blend of aspartame and acesulfame potassium to achieve a taste similar to classic Coca-Cola with zero sugar.
Pepsi Zero Sugar: This low-calorie cola is sweetened with a mix of acesulfame potassium and aspartame.
Diet Pepsi: Often contains a combination of acesulfame K and other sweeteners.
Sprite Zero: Relies on a blend of aspartame and acesulfame K for its sugar-free formula.
Diet 7UP: This lemon-lime soda uses both acesulfame K and aspartame.

Energy Drinks

Energy drink manufacturers also frequently incorporate acesulfame K to deliver a sweet taste without the sugar content that could contribute to a 'sugar crash.'

Red Bull Sugarfree and Red Bull Zero: These sugar-free varieties replace sucrose and glucose with a mix of sucralose and acesulfame K.
Monster Energy Sugar Free: Another popular energy drink that utilizes sucralose and acesulfame K.

Other Beverage Categories

The use of acesulfame K extends far beyond just sodas and energy drinks. It can be found in a variety of other liquid products marketed as sugar-free or diet.

Fruit Juices and Flavored Waters: Low-calorie or zero-sugar fruit juices and fruit-flavored waters often contain Ace-K to maintain sweetness.
Drink Mixes: Powdered beverage mixes, such as instant iced teas or lemonade, use acesulfame K for a calorie-free sweetening solution.
Protein Shakes: Ready-to-drink protein shakes and powders utilize artificial sweeteners like Ace-K to provide a pleasant flavor without added sugars.
Instant Coffee and Tea Mixes: Some instant coffee and tea products, particularly those that come in single-serving packets, are sweetened with acesulfame K.

Identifying Acesulfame K on Product Labels

To determine if a drink contains acesulfame K, consumers can look for several names on the ingredient list. The most common are 'acesulfame potassium,' 'acesulfame K,' or simply 'Ace-K'. It may also appear under brand names like Sunett® or Sweet One®. The presence of this sweetener is a strong indicator that the product is either sugar-free, diet, or low-calorie.

Comparison of Artificial Sweeteners in Drinks


Sweetener	Sweetness Level vs. Sugar	Found In	Key Characteristics
Acesulfame K (Ace-K)	~200 times sweeter	Diet sodas, energy drinks, protein shakes, juices	Stable under heat; often blended with other sweeteners to mask a slight bitter aftertaste.
Aspartame	~200 times sweeter	Diet sodas like Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Diet Pepsi	Not heat stable; contains calories but is used in very small amounts.
Sucralose (Splenda®)	~600 times sweeter	Diet sodas, energy drinks, bottled juices, iced teas	Heat stable; can be used in baking and cooked products.
Steviol Glycosides (Stevia)	~200-400 times sweeter	Natural sugar-free beverages, flavored waters	Derived from the stevia plant; often used in beverages marketed as 'natural' or 'plant-based'.

Conclusion: A Common Ingredient in Modern Beverages

Acesulfame K is a versatile and widely-used artificial sweetener, found across a broad spectrum of popular beverages. Its calorie-free nature, heat stability, and long shelf life make it an attractive ingredient for food and drink manufacturers producing diet and zero-sugar products. From mainstream colas and lemon-lime sodas to performance-oriented energy drinks and protein shakes, acesulfame K provides the sweet taste many consumers desire without the sugar. Because it's frequently paired with other artificial sweeteners to balance flavor, checking the ingredients list is the most reliable way for consumers to know if a specific product contains acesulfame K. Ultimately, understanding its presence allows individuals to make more informed dietary choices.

Considerations for Consumers

While regulatory bodies like the FDA and EFSA have affirmed the safety of acesulfame K, some researchers continue to study its long-term health effects, including potential impacts on gut health. Consumers should always consider their overall intake of artificial sweeteners and be aware of ingredients in their favorite drinks. For those with specific health concerns, consulting a healthcare professional is always recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, major health authorities like the FDA and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have reviewed numerous studies and consider acesulfame K safe for consumption within the acceptable daily intake (ADI) levels.

Many popular diet and zero-sugar sodas contain acesulfame K, often in combination with aspartame. Examples include Coke Zero Sugar, Pepsi Zero Sugar, Sprite Zero, Diet 7UP, and Diet Mountain Dew.

Manufacturers use acesulfame K to provide intense sweetness without adding calories. Its heat and shelf stability also make it a versatile ingredient for a wide range of products.

The FDA has set the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for acesulfame potassium at 15 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day. It would be very difficult for a person to exceed this amount under normal circumstances.

When used alone in high concentrations, acesulfame K can have a slightly bitter or metallic aftertaste. This is why it is almost always blended with other artificial sweeteners in beverages to create a more sugar-like flavor.

No, acesulfame K and aspartame are different artificial sweeteners. Although they are often used together in diet drinks, they are distinct chemical compounds.

Yes, many energy drink brands use acesulfame K, particularly in their sugar-free versions. Examples include Red Bull Sugarfree, Red Bull Zero, and Monster Energy Sugar Free.