Vaping is gaining in popularity, and people are turning to e-cigarettes as a healthier alternative. Public Health England’s data for 2015 confirms this. E-cigarettes are 95 percent less harmful than smoking.
Many may wonder if e-cigarettes have a less negative impact on exercise than traditional smoking. Standard cigarettes can disrupt the healthy oxygen flow in your body when you are working out. Does this also apply to e-cigarettes, though?
This blog explores the effects of vaping and exercising, comparing it to smoking and determining whether you should Vape or not.
How Does Vaping Affect Your Ability To Exercise?
It is important to recognize that vaping can have a negative impact on your ability to exercise, but not as much as smoking.
This can be due to a variety of reasons:
- E-cigarettes are addictive nicotine that constricts blood vessels. This can reduce blood flow to muscles when exercising. This reduced blood circulation can lead to diminished performance and increased fatigue.
- Nicotine can also be a stimulant that increases your blood pressure and heart rate during physical activity. This can be dangerous, as it increases the risk of a heart attack.
- Nicotine suppresses appetite, which can be problematic for exercise. It can be helpful to control excessive food cravings but it also limits your ability for you to absorb the nutrients required for a healthy exercise routine. You should ensure that you get the nutrition you need to fuel your workouts and not skip meals because of your nicotine consumption.
- Some e-liquids, such as propylene and vegetable glycol, can cause irritation and inflammation of the respiratory tract. This may affect your ability to perform high-intensity exercises or endurance sports.
Smoking and Exercise vs Vaping and Exercise
Smoking can be much more damaging than vaping.
Smoking has a number of negative effects on fitness and exercise, such as reduced lung function, impaired circulation, and an increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Smokers often suffer from shortness of breathe, decreased stamina and reduced athletic performance.
There are several reasons for this:
- Smoking cigarettes contains many harmful chemicals. These will harden the walls of blood vessels and restrict arteries, causing your heart to beat faster in order to compensate. This causes an elevated heart rate, and blood pressure.
- Smoking traditional cigarettes increases the amount carbon monoxide (CO) in your bloodstream and replaces oxygen, making it difficult for red blood cells, which supply oxygen to muscles, to do so.
- Smoking cigarettes can cause damage to the lungs by coating them with tar, other chemicals and damaging the air sacs. This further reduces the body’s capacity to absorb oxygen.
Vaping before or after exercise is still a habit that should be avoided. Certain e-liquids, like nic salts can contain nicotine levels that are higher than conventional cigarettes. Vaping and smoking both weaken physical abilities. However, the difference between the two is clear.
Do I Need To Vape And Exercise Together?
It’s important to weigh up the pros and cons of vaping and exercising, given the risks that could be associated. Switching to vaping if you are a current smoker could improve your lung function as well as your overall capacity to exercise. Vaping is a safer alternative to smoking, but it’s not without risk. It may be an option for smokers who can’t quit.
The healthiest choice is to stop using nicotine products completely. You should avoid substances that can negatively affect your health or performance if you are an athlete. Vaping’s impact on exercise is not as well researched as smoking. However, dedicated athletes should err on caution.
Monitor your body’s reaction if you decide to vape while exercising. Be aware of any changes to your lung function and any irritation or inflammation in the respiratory system. Consult a healthcare professional if you notice any negative effects. Discuss your options with them and ensure you make the right decision for your fitness and health goals.
The decision of whether to vape or exercise ultimately comes down to the unique circumstances of each individual. Staying informed about your health and being proactive can help you make the right choices to improve your fitness and achieve a healthier, happier future.
