New research from the University of Georgia indicates that e-cigarettes may pose metabolic risks that have received far less attention than their respiratory effects.
The findings, reported by UGA and summarized by ScienceDaily, suggest that vaping is linked to higher odds of developing prediabetes and, in some cases, diabetes.
Large National Survey Reveals Consistent Patterns
The research team analyzed more than 1.2 million responses from the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, one of the largest ongoing health surveys in the United States.
According to UGA, adults who used e-cigarettes were more likely to report a diagnosis of prediabetes compared with people who did not use nicotine products.
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Lead author Sulakshan Neupane, a doctoral researcher, said the results point to nicotine itself—whether inhaled from vapor or smoke—as a possible disruptor of the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar.
Traditional smokers showed an even higher likelihood of developing prediabetes or diabetes. But the greatest increase appeared among people who used both cigarettes and e-cigarettes.
UGA reported that dual users had substantially elevated odds of prediabetes compared with adults who abstained from nicotine altogether.
Neupane said the findings challenge the idea that switching to vaping eliminates long-term health risks, noting that nicotine exposure may affect insulin sensitivity and weight regulation.
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Health Risks Unevenly Distributed Across Communities
The University of Georgia also highlighted significant disparities in who is most affected.
Hispanic, Black and Asian adults who smoked or vaped were more frequently diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes than white adults with similar habits.
Income played a major role as well: individuals in the lowest income groups faced markedly higher risk, a trend the researchers linked to chronic stress, uneven access to medical care and greater reliance on nicotine as a coping mechanism.
Adults with overweight or obesity experienced additional vulnerability when they used nicotine products.
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Exercise Offers Some Protection
Despite the concerning overall pattern, the researchers identified one potentially protective factor.
Regular physical activity appeared to reduce prediabetes risk among smokers, suggesting that exercise may help offset—but not eliminate—the metabolic strain associated with nicotine exposure.
Call for Broader Public Health Attention
The study, published in AJPM Focus, was co-authored by UGA professor Wojciech Florkowski and CDC Foundation researcher Chandra Dhakal.
While the authors stressed that the survey data show association rather than causation, they said the findings warrant closer attention as e-cigarette use continues to rise, particularly among younger adults.
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Artiklen er baseret på informationer fra Science Daily og Ajpmfocus
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