At Smoke It Up, we often hear the question: “Does vaping contain calories?” With growing awareness around health and weight management, it’s a valid concern, especially considering the sweet, dessert-like flavors of many high-VG or shortfill e-liquids. While vaping isn’t typically associated with caloric intake, it’s been linked to possible effects on weight control and even physical appearance, including fitness performance and, for women, body changes. These factors make it important to understand how vaping interacts with your body, even beyond nicotine.
Does E-Liquid Contain Calories?
- Yes, e-liquids do contain calories, but the amount is extremely small, so much so that it’s considered negligible in most cases. These trace calories typically come from ingredients like propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin.
- Research comparing vaping and smoking for weight control suggests that nicotine, rather than the actual calorie content of e-liquids, is the primary factor influencing weight changes in users.
- Nicotine is known to act as an appetite suppressant by interacting with the brain’s reward system. It mimics the body’s response to food satisfaction, altering how we experience hunger and satiety.
- When we eat to satisfy hunger, our brain releases a strong surge of dopamine as a reward mechanism. This natural reward helps reinforce the behavior of eating for survival.
- Nicotine also causes a significant dopamine release when inhaled, whether through smoking or vaping. This dopamine surge can mislead the brain into thinking that the body has just been fed.
- As a result, vaping or smoking when hungry may trick the body into feeling satisfied, even though no actual food has been consumed. This can lead to a suppressed appetite over time.
How Many Calories Are in an Average Vape?
If you’re worried about gaining weight from vaping, there’s good news: most vape juices, even the sweet-tasting ones, won’t impact your diet in any meaningful way.
The main ingredients in e-liquids are Vegetable Glycerin (VG) and Propylene Glycol (PG), both of which contain roughly 4 calories per milliliter
- Vape juice is inhaled rather than consumed; your body absorbs only a tiny fraction of those calories, making the actual intake negligible.
- As for flavors and sweeteners, most are calorie-free, especially if the manufacturer avoids sugar. At Smoke It Up, we offer e-liquids from trusted brands that use minimal sweeteners and no added sugars, keeping your vape experience light and satisfying.
Do the Calories in Vapes Matter?
Based on current research, the calories in vape juice are too low to have any real impact on your weight. A standard bottle of e-liquid contains just 30 to 50 calories in total, an amount your body naturally burns through everyday movement and basic metabolic functions. That’s significantly less than even a small snack, making it highly unlikely to affect your diet or fitness goals. However, if you have personal health concerns or are monitoring your calorie intake closely, it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor or a healthcare professional for advice tailored specifically to your needs.
Is Vaping a Safe Way to Control Appetite?
While some people claim that vaping helps suppress appetite due to the oral fixation or flavored vape juices, it is not a safe or recommended method for appetite control. Vaping introduces nicotine and other chemicals into the body, which can have harmful effects on the heart, lungs, and brain over time. Relying on vaping to curb hunger can also lead to nicotine dependency and unhealthy eating habits
Should You Worry About Vape Juice Calories?
In the end, while vape juice does contain a small number of calories, the amount is so minimal that it won’t impact your weight, diet, or fitness goals. If you’re vaping for relaxation, flavor, or as a smoking alternative, calories are hardly something to stress over. That said, your health and product quality matter, so always choose trusted, high-quality vape products. For a smooth, flavorful, and reliable vaping experience, your go-to destination for premium e-liquids and devices. Shop smart. Vape better. Only at SmokeIt Up.