Do Vapes Have Calories?

Vaping has become a popular alternative to traditional smoking, but many people have questions about its impact on their health and lifestyle, particularly regarding calories and weight gain. This article will explore various aspects of this topic, including flavored vapes, disposable vapes, and specific brands like Breeze, Fume, Hyde, Lost Mary, and Puff Bar. We will also address questions about vaping while fasting and the potential caloric content of vape juice and vape pens.

When electronic cigarette oil (e-liquid) is atomized into vapor, the human body’s absorption rate of calories is extremely low. Here are some detailed points to explain this:

Components of E-Liquid

E-liquids typically consist of:

1. Propylene Glycol (PG): About 4 calories per gram if ingested.
2. Vegetable Glycerin (VG): About 4.32 calories per gram if ingested.
3. Nicotine: No significant caloric value.
4. Flavorings: Generally minimal caloric content.

Vaporization and Inhalation Process

1. Vaporization:
   • The e-liquid is heated and turns into vapor, primarily consisting of PG, VG, nicotine, and flavorings.
   • PG and VG are responsible for the vapor production and the “throat hit.”
2. Inhalation:
   • When vapor is inhaled, nicotine and some flavorings are absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs.
   • PG and VG mostly remain in the vapor state and are exhaled.

Caloric Absorption Mechanism

1. Lung Absorption:
   • The lungs are designed to exchange gases, primarily oxygen and carbon dioxide, and are not efficient at absorbing macronutrients, including calories from PG and VG.
   • Most of the vaporized PG and VG are exhaled rather than absorbed.
2. Caloric Contribution:
   • Even if a tiny amount of PG and VG were absorbed, the quantity is so small that the caloric intake would be negligible.
   • The primary purpose of vaping is nicotine delivery, not calorie consumption.

Scientific Perspective

• Negligible Caloric Intake:
  • Scientific studies and health experts agree that the caloric contribution from vaping is minimal to non-existent.
  • The primary components of vapor, PG, and VG, do not significantly contribute to caloric intake when inhaled.

Conclusion

The absorption rate of calories from atomized e-liquid is extremely low. The process of vaping does not lead to significant caloric intake because the lungs are not designed to absorb calories from inhaled substances, and most of the vaporized PG and VG is exhaled. Therefore, vaping has a negligible impact on daily caloric intake.

Vaping while fasting is generally acceptable since the minimal caloric content does not break a fast. However, it is essential to consider personal fasting goals and preferences. Overall, vaping is not a source of calories, and its impact on weight and caloric intake is negligible.

FAQs about Vaping and Calories

1. Do flavored vapes have calories?

Flavored vapes, including their unflavored counterparts, do not contain significant calories as flavorings are designed for taste and aroma without contributing to caloric intake.

2. Do disposable vapes add calories?

No, disposable vapes use e-liquids with PG, VG, flavorings, and nicotine, which do not contribute to calories.

3. What is the caloric content of vapes?

Vapes have negligible caloric content. While VG has calories when consumed orally, vaporization and inhalation do not lead to meaningful caloric absorption.

4. Do specific vape brands add calories?

Brands like Breeze, Fume, Hyde, Lost Mary, Elf Bar, and Puff Bar use e-liquids with ingredients that do not contribute significant calories when vaporized and inhaled.

5. Can vaping cause weight gain?

Vaping itself is unlikely to cause weight gain due to minimal caloric intake from vapor. Nicotine in e-liquids can affect metabolism and appetite, potentially leading to weight loss in some users. Quitting vaping or smoking may lead to weight gain as appetite returns to normal.

6. Does vaping break a fast?

Vaping generally does not break a fast as it does not introduce significant calories into the body. Some fasting purists may consider anything other than water to break a fast. Nicotine and flavorings in vapes could have minor metabolic effects but are unlikely to disrupt the fasting state significantly.

7. Do vape juice, vape pens, and pods contain calories?

Vape juice and the ingredients in vape pens and pods have minimal to negligible caloric content. When vaporized and inhaled, they do not significantly contribute to caloric intake.