Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are non-caloric or near-zero-calorie compounds used to sweeten protein powders without adding sugar or carbs. The most common in protein supplements are sucralose, acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) and aspartame. Plant-derived alternatives include stevia and monk fruit.
Why It Matters
Artificial sweeteners are heavily studied and considered safe at typical supplement doses by the FDA, EFSA and WHO. The bigger practical questions are taste preference (sucralose tastes most like sugar to most people) and whether sweeteners affect gut microbiome, where evidence is mixed but mostly null at typical doses.
How to Spot It on a Label
Look on the ingredient list for sucralose, aspartame, acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), saccharin, or neotame. 'No artificial sweeteners' labels usually mean stevia or monk fruit is used instead. Ascent, Naked, Orgain Grass-Fed and some Promix products are common sweetener-free or stevia-only picks.
Examples from real products
Related Terms
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