Vaping has become a popular alternative to smoking, but many people wonder if it can affect weight. Questions like “does vaping make you gain weight?” or “how many calories are in a vape?” are increasingly common. In this article, we’ll explore how vaping, particularly nicotine-containing vapes, impacts weight and whether vapes have any calories at all.
Do Vapes Have Calories?
Technically, yes, vapes do have calories, but the amount is minimal. Vape liquids, or e-liquids, consist of ingredients like propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavorings, and sometimes nicotine or cannabis. Among these, glycerin contains 4.32 calories per gram. However, these calories are negligible. For example, a 10 ml e-liquid bottle might contain around 40 calories, and a single-use disposable vape would have only about 8 calories.
More importantly, these calories cannot be absorbed through inhalation. Calories must be consumed through digestion, which means vaping cannot contribute to your calorie intake. So, while vape liquids contain some calories, they won’t make you gain weight through the act of vaping.
Does Vaping Make You Gain Weight?
Vaping, particularly when it involves nicotine, is unlikely to cause weight gain. In fact, nicotine is a known appetite suppressant, which may reduce hunger and increase metabolism. This can lead to weight loss in some cases. Nicotine’s effects on weight have been studied extensively, and research from 2021 shows that nicotine reduces both food intake and body weight. This is why some people turn to vaping as a way to control their appetite and potentially lose weight.
However, the long-term impact of nicotine on weight is still unclear. While nicotine can help prevent short-term weight gain, it does not offer a sustainable solution for long-term weight management.
Can Vaping Help with Weight Loss?
Vaping can help with weight loss due to the appetite-suppressing effects of nicotine. A 2019 study in England found that 1 in 22 people vape for weight control, and 1 in 50 people use vaping as a replacement for meals or snacks. The study shows that nicotine can prevent short-term weight gain, but there’s no evidence that it is effective over the long term.
Aside from nicotine’s role in appetite suppression, vaping itself may act as a behavioral distraction. The hand-to-mouth action of vaping can replace habitual eating patterns, making it easier for some people to eat less. However, this behavioral substitution is not a long-term solution and should not be relied upon for weight loss.
Can You Vape While Fasting?
Vaping, particularly with nicotine, may make fasting easier for some people by suppressing appetite and reducing food cravings. Some even use sweet-flavored vape liquids as a substitute for sugary foods. However, while vaping may help suppress hunger, there is no solid evidence to support that it helps with fasting or contributes significantly to weight loss.
Conclusion: Does Vaping Make You Fat or Skinny?
In short, vaping doesn’t directly make you gain or lose weight. Nicotine, found in many e-liquids, can suppress appetite and boost metabolism, leading to short-term weight loss. However, it’s important to note that vaping is not a healthy or sustainable method for weight management. Additionally, while vape liquids contain a tiny amount of calories, these are negligible and not absorbed through vaping.
For those looking to manage their weight, healthy habits like balanced eating and regular exercise are far more effective. Vaping, particularly with nicotine, should not be viewed as a weight loss tool, especially given its associated health risks, including cardiovascular disease.
Key Takeaways:
- Vapes contain a minimal amount of calories, but they are not absorbed through vaping.
- Nicotine in vapes can suppress appetite and boost metabolism, potentially leading to short-term weight loss.
- Vaping does not directly make you gain weight, but it should not be used as a long-term weight management strategy.
- Healthier alternatives like regular exercise and balanced diets are more effective for sustainable weight loss.