Vaping has become a popular alternative to smoking, with many people believing it’s a safer option. However, a recent study has found that even nicotine-free vaping can harm your vascular health, increasing the risk of heart disease and circulation issues.
Traditional cigarettes contain thousands of harmful chemicals, including tar and carcinogens, which vaping avoids. But the idea that nicotine-free vapes are completely safe is now being challenged. Researchers have discovered that the base liquids and flavoring agents in e-cigarettes can still pose significant health risks.
E-cigarettes work by heating a liquid to produce an aerosol that users inhale. This liquid, often called vape juice, typically contains propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. While these ingredients are safe to consume, inhaling them can lead to lung irritation, persistent coughing, and difficulty breathing.
Flavorings in vape juice, such as fruity or minty flavors, often contain harmful chemicals like diacetyl, which is linked to a serious lung condition known as popcorn lung, and benzaldehyde, which can irritate the respiratory system. Additionally, vape coils can release small amounts of heavy metals like lead and nickel into the vapor.
Dr. Michael Blaha from Johns Hopkins Medicine warns, “You’re exposing yourself to all kinds of chemicals that we don’t yet fully understand and that are probably not safe.”
The study found that both nicotine-free and nicotine-containing vapes negatively impact blood vessel function, with nicotine-free vapes showing significant but slightly less severe effects. Dr. Marianna Nabbout, one of the researchers, emphasized that even short-term use of e-cigarettes can harm vascular systems, and long-term use could lead to serious vascular diseases.
If you’ve been using vaping as a safer alternative to smoking, this new research might make you think twice. Share this information to help others understand the potential risks of vaping.
