If you don’t smoke and you are trying to lose weight, e-cigarettes aren’t really going to help you reach your goals.
But a new study out of Britain and New Zealand is showing that for those who currently smoke and are trying to quit, e-cigarettes can be a useful bridge.
Those who quit smoking often gain weight during the process. A recent review states that this is because the nicotine in cigarettes can make smokers less likely to overeat, as it curbs appetite.
By replacing cigarettes with e-cigarettes on the way to smoking nothing at all, the study indicates that smokers can continue to “keep their appetite in check” while eliminating their exposure to real cigarettes.
E-cigarettes heat nicotine-laced flavoured liquids into vapour, and they are said to carry just 5% of the risk of smoking.
Researchers have said that the flavouring offered in e-cigarettes may also replicate the sensation of eating, helping smokers to overeat less as they quit.
Is using e-cigarettes a foolproof method for keeping off weight, though? The answer to that is, no.
The scientists behind the review, which was published in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research, were quick to point out that no evidence was found proving that e-cigarettes can help non-smokers to lose weight.
It’s estimated that around 9 million adults vape regularly in the United States. Many public health specialists do find using e-cigarettes to be a lower risk alternative when compared to smoking cigarettes, but the risks of using e-cigarettes long term isn’t yet known, and so they’re not risk-free.
The bottom line? Quitting smoking can be hard. If switching to e-cigarettes helps along the way, great. It takes courage to commit to quitting, and it will be rewarding. Quitting can be the single most important step a smoker can take towards improving their overall health and lifespan.
Thinking of stepping up to the plate? For more information and help, click here.
Photo Credit: Hazem.m.kamal/Shutterstock
