Scientists from New Zealand and Sterling conducted a research about the effects of vaping to smokers who are quitting and found out that the sweet and fruit flavor variety for e-juice helps prevent snacking. They studied the relationship between the aroma, taste and flavor of e-cigarettes and how it can manage weight gain. More so, the physical process of filling an e-cigarette could reduce the urge to eat.
"You are re-filling the e-liquids, you might be mixing your own liquids, you are trying different flavors, you are doing things with your hands that take up time which means maybe you are not reaching for the bowl of M&Ms," Linda Bauld said, co-author and professor of health policy at the University of Stirling and deputy director of the UK Centre for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies.
Obesity is a common problem among people who are looking to say goodbye to smoking, with an average weight gain of about 5kg on the first year of quitting. One of the many effects of nicotine is suppressing appetite and causing a metabolic rate increase.
"People can change their nicotine content, so to quit smoking they might start off on a higher strength e-liquid and then they can taper down really quiet gradually in a much more sophisticated way than they can with NRT, which is probably good for weight maintenance and for weight loss," Bauld added.
However, authors said that more research is needed. It is also important to note that while e-cigarettes have possible benefits in managing weight gain among ex-smokers, vaping certainly does not mean it could help non-smokers to lose weight.
"We are not suggesting that we should promote e-cigarettes to people who haven't smoked, but for people who are thinking about the best way to stop smoking and are concerned about weight gain, I think what we are suggesting is that e-cigarettes should certainly be considered," said Bauld.
