E-CIGARETTES: VAPING FOR HEALTH?

Since nicotine in tobacco-based cigarettes has become a crucial point for the health of smokers, 4% of U.S. adult smokers turned permanently to electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) for seemingly healthy gaiety. With a base e-liquid involved instead of nicotine, usually containing ingredients like water, vegetable glycerine and propylene glycol. Plus flavorings for better taste. Although this e-liquid may well be considered basically safe, its vaporization process still turns out as dangerous - also without nicotine . Including even heart attack and stroke. Read on to learn more about.       

THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND

The more tobacco-based smoking has become discredited healthwise primarily as a threat of lung disease (specifically lung cancer) because of inhaling toxic nicotine, the more smokers turn to electronic cigarettes (“e-cigarettes”).
 
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States almost 4% of adults are following this trend regularly, and 12% of adults have tried to do so at least once in their lives.
 
However, this does not mean that they are not vaping anything with, rather, they are vaporizing and inhaling just a certain liquid (‘e-liquid) instead.
 
This is leaves us with the question if vaporizing and inhaling this e-liquid is less problematic than inhaling nicotine.
   
The base e-liquid of e-cigarettes is usually made of water, along with vegetable glycerine and propylene glycol, manifold enriched with tobacco flavoring for seemingly better taste. True, many of these ingredients have a GRAS certificate (Generally Recognized as Safe) for use in food. However, since this vaping process is heated, the specific ingredients are vaporized. This, however, does not mean that there is no danger for your health involved, despite of lacking nicotine.

DANGERS OF VAPING E-LIQUIDS – SCIENTIFICALLY VALIDATED

General Toxicity

The overriding danger of this allegedly safe delight for converting smokers is a generally toxic effect on the whole body. With special reference to those chemicals used to flavor the e-liquids, even if those contain food-grade ingredients.
 
Because when heating propylene glycol and glycerol in e-liquids, compounds will be created to release the potentially cancer-causing carcinogen formaldehyde.
 
Also, according to research at, inter alia, the Universities of California in Riverside and San Francisco, as well as the British Universities of Birmingham and Swansea, inter alia following chemicals were found in the urine of e-cigarette smokers:

• Acrolein
• Acrylamide
• Acrylonitrile
• Crotonaldehyde
• Propylene oxide

Lung Problems

Based on research of the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, NY, certain e-liquid flavorings may cause lung inflammation – even without nicotine.
 
A negative effect on the lungs of e-cigarette smokers has also been reported from the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX as the result of chronic exposure to the vapors of e-cigarettes. Even without nicotine in the vapors.

Blood Vessel Damage

Nicotine-free e-cigarettes have also a negative impact on blood vessel health, as we learn from research at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA.
 
To be more precise, researchers noted reduced blood flow in the femoral artery, the main artery delivering blood to thigh and leg. Decreasing femoral artery’s dilation by 34%.  
 
Also, a reduced reactive hyperemia by almost 26% was identified. Impacting negatively the endothelium which lines the inside of the blood vessels. Finally, the peak blood flow was reduced by 17.5% in consequence of vaping. Thus blocking blood flow to the heart and brain – with the potential consequences of stroke and heart attack.

IN A NUTSHELL

Since nicotine in tobacco-based cigarettes has become a crucial point for the health of smokers (and second-hand smokers!), 4% of U.S. adult smokers turned permanently to electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) for seemingly healthy gaiety. With a base e-liquid involved instead of nicotine, usually containing ingredients like water, vegetable glycerine and propylene glycol. Plus (tobacco) flavorings for better taste. Although this liquid may well be considered basically safe, its vaporization process still turns out as dangerous. Including even heart attack and stroke. As you learned in this blog.

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DISCLAIMER

All information stated in this blog are for your personal education, and not to replace the advice of your healthcare provider.All information stated in this blog are for your personal education, and not to replace the advice of your healthcare provider.