Berry-flavored vapes harm lungs more than non-flavored, study suggests
Vapes are becoming more popular worldwide, specifically due to their various flavors. However, a recent study suggests berry-flavored vapes may harm respiratory health more than non-flavored ones.
A research team from various universities discovered that these e-cigarettes paralyze the lungs’ immune cells.
As a result, they could make a person more vulnerable to respiratory infections. The researchers say it is especially concerning for children who are often the vape market’s target customers.
Article continues after this advertisementHow do berry-flavored vapes impact respiratory health?
A study in mice shows that berry flavored e-cigarette vapor can immobilize lung immune cells called alveolar macrophages—and if the macrophages cannot patrol, they cannot defend the lungs against bacterial infection. In PNAS: https://t.co/UHrDYBRP5J pic.twitter.com/WecC2Gpwcc
— PNASNews (@PNASNews) September 27, 2024
In 2019, the researchers started their study by subjecting mice to e-cigarette vapor. They observed the animals and their lung immune cells via a live imaging technique.
The team found that berry-flavored vapes can restrict alveolar macrophages (AMs), which protect the lower respiratory tract.
READ: Nicotine-free vapes can damage lungs – study
Article continues after this advertisementAs a result, AMs cleared fewer bacteria, reducing the animals’ survival rate. The team published their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Consumer news website ConsumerAffairs shared a few statements from the researchers.
McGill Assistant Professor Ajitha Thanabalasuriar warned, “We need to be careful about the types of flavors that we’re including in these products.”
“They can have detrimental effects. I think that’s really the take-home message, especially some of these vaping products that are marketed for kids…”
READ: DOH, PGH raise warning vs vape, cite 1st PH death
“…The way they’re sold, the types of containers they are sold in – it’s very colorful, it’s really attractive to children…”
“This can be a really bad thing for our future,” she added.
Berry-flavored vapes aren’t the only ones detrimental to lung health. Another Inquirer Tech article reported most vapes contain ingredients that cause other health risks.
These include impaired teen brain development and bronchitis obliterans or “popcorn lung.”
However, the research team admits they need to identify the exact compounds in berry-flavored vapes that hamper immune cells.
