E-Cigarette
Although it is widely accepted that e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional cigarettes, in that they do not produce the combustible toxicants present in smoke, there is still a lot to learn about how they affect the human body. As the number of smokers transitioning to e-cigs increases, aided by governments’ and health agencies’ more positive stance, determining how these electronic devices impact their users becomes even more necessary.
A recent study, led by Newcastle University, aimed to determine the effect that e-cigarettes had on vapers’ gut bacteria. More specifically, an international team of researchers compared the bacteria present in the digestive tract of smokers, e-cigarette users and non-smokers to analyze the differences.
Not only did samples taken from sites that are directly in contact with smoke or vapor, such as the mouth, show considerable differences when obtained from smokers and vapers, but those obtained from the gut did as well. Smokers showed more Prevotella bacteria than vapers in their system, which may make cigarette users more at risk for colitis and colon cancer. These samples also had lower levels of the probiotic Bacteroides, which has been linked to Crohn’s disease and obesity.
Vapers and non-smokers have the same mix of gut bacteria.
While the news was not good for smokers, on the bright side, the research showed the bacteria in the mouth and gut of vapers and non-smokers to be similar. This highlights another potential advantage of switching from combustible cigarettes to e-cigs, especially if quitting altogether is difficult for the person.
While the Food and Drug Administration in the US is still determining the role of e-cigs in the fight against smoking, the UK National Health Services have embraced e-cigarettes. They have been promoting these devices as a viable and less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes. In fact, the UK has “one of the most comprehensive systems of regulation for e-cigarettes in the world.”
Are you an ex-smoker who now vapes? How have e-cigs impacted your health? Tell us in the comments section below.
