Electronic cigarettes could potentially function as a weight loss tool for people trying to quit, according to a new study that shows nicotine suppresses appetite.
Many smokers trying to quit struggle with weight loss and the liquid nicotine in e-cigarettes could stem these cravings for food. The nicotine in cigarettes is what specifically makes smokers less likely to overeat, according to the new study published in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research.
The researchers from Britain and New Zealand based their study on previous studies looking at the effects of nicotine on weight fluctuations.
“Weight gain prevents some smokers from quitting, so we need to explore alternative ways of helping these people control their weight while removing the risks of tobacco,” Linda Bauld, deputy director of the UK Center for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies, told Reuters. “The benefits of e-cigarettes for smokers have been shown to far outweigh the harms, as vaping carries around 5 percent of the risk of smoking.”
The study also revealed the various flavorings available to e-cigarette users may help control food cravings and that the hand-to-mouth actions of smoking an e-cigarette could reduce overeating, reports the Daily Mail.
Despite the promising conclusions, the researchers stress that these are preliminary findings and they cannot make any definitive statements regarding vaping and weight loss. They also note that non-smokers and non-vapers should not use these products for the purpose of weight management.
“E-cigarettes are an effective strategy to help people stop smoking and improve their health,” Susan Jebb, a professor of diet and population health at Oxford University, told Reuters. “If they also help smokers who quit to limit weight gain that would be a bonus, though not yet proven.”
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