Tag: 6. September 2023

There’s a very short list of things worse than breathing in someone else’s exhale of strawberry vapour while you’re waiting for the bus at 8 AM. 

‘It’s not as bad as cigarette smoke,’ they all say, cradling their highlighted little vices like an asthmatic holding ventolin. To that, I heartily disagree. 

But, as much as I disapprove, it seems like a huge (and growing) proportion of people just can’t seem to leave the house without their trusty vape. And while yes, in some ways the impact of vaping on our health is far more manageable than smoking, new research surfaces every day pointing to plenty of reasons why we should be avoiding the colourful e-cigarettes.

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While the latest report is particularly eye-opening for men, we should all take note of the findings, representing significant potential side effects of the blueberry-flavoured pens.

Breaking down the study

Collating global health data, the study found roughly 30 percent of men aged 15 and under are considered to have an addiction to smoking, with the rate only increasing to 45 percent in men of reproductive age. While decades of research into the detrimental health effects of tobacco have linked the dangerous addiction to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and fertility issues, the long-term physiological impacts of vaping are largely unknown.

With vaping still being a relatively new craze, most of the research currently being conducted into the health effects isn’t quite in the human-testing stage yet. Hence the latest findings actually reflect the physiological changes experienced by rats exposed to vaping. 

The recently published study was designed to demonstrate the effect of both cigarette and e-cigarette smoke on the male urogenital system, exposing male rats to both.

Regularly measuring factors such as testicular weights, sperm count, urine cotinine levels, and gonadosomatic index against the control group, researchers compared the results to determine the full scope of effect. 

The troubling findings

The experiment clearly outlined several risks associated with vaping in regard to the male urogenital system. Most notably, researchers attributed many of the negative physiological changes to oxidative stress, which causes intracellular molecule damage or cell death. 

The rats exposed to vaping experienced morphological changes, most notably a decrease in their sperm count and testicular weight, while the control group or rodents maintained their regular data readings. 

“The results of this study showed changes in testicular histopathology, spermiogram, and oxidative stress parameters of rats exposed to cigarette and EC smoke,” the study authors write.

“Therefore, it should be considered that although EC liquid has been introduced as harmless in smoking cessation studies, it could increase oxidative stress and cause morphological changes in the testicle.”

The troubling findings of this study call for further research on the health effects of vaping, potentially venturing into similar research involving human subjects.

For as long as we can remember, diets have been a constant presence in our lives. From trendy fad diets to well-intentioned attempts at healthier living, it’s all for the pursuit of an ideal body or health status that has infiltrated our culture for decades.

Yet, as we delve deeper, it becomes evident that this diet-centric mindset, often perpetuated by the media and societal pressures, has very negative consequences. Particularly for women, the impact of diet culture has been profound, fostering unhealthy relationships with food, body image issues, and a never-ending cycle of weight fluctuations.

The truth is diets are neither a healthy nor sustainable solution. So, I’m here to ask the one thing I wish women would stop doing when it comes to diets, is to stop dieting ALL TOGETHER! Here are 6 reasons why.

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#1. Diets set unrealistic expectations

Diets often promise rapid results and portray unrealistic body ideals. This sets the stage for disappointment when the promised quick fixes don’t translate. This cycle of unmet expectations fuels a sense of failure and inadequacy, eroding self-esteem and fostering an unhealthy fixation on achieving an unattainable „perfect“ body.

#2. Diets focus on external validation

Diets tend to place heavy emphasis on external appearance as a measure of success. This focus on validation from others perpetuates the idea that our worth is tied to our body size. Consequently, self-worth becomes intertwined with body image, leading to a constant struggle for acceptance and creating feelings of insecurity, guilt & shame.

#3. Diets create rigid food rules

Diets often come with rigid rules dictating what is „allowed“ and what is „forbidden.“ Such restrictions foster a black-and-white mentality around food choices, causing individuals to label foods as „good“ or „bad.“ This over-simplification leads to guilt and anxiety when deviating from these rules, erasing the joy and spontaneity of eating.

#4. Diets result in negative physical and mental well-being

The cycle of weight loss followed by regain, known as yo-yo dieting, wreaks havoc on both physical and mental well-being. The repeated pattern of restriction and overindulgence not only disrupts metabolism but also fuels a negative feedback loop of body dissatisfaction and emotional distress.

#5. Diets create a disconnection with hunger and fullness

Diets often advocate external cues over internal signals. This disconnects individuals from their natural hunger and fullness cues, leading to mindless eating or ignoring genuine hunger.

#6. Diets have a negative impact on mental health

The relentless pursuit of the ‘ideal’ body and constant worry about food choices can lead to anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia. The obsession with dieting undermines mental well-being, making it difficult to enjoy life fully.

We are worth so much more than what the number on the scale tells us. It’s time for women to steer away from the confinements of diets and embrace a more balanced approach that celebrates all foods.

Opting for moderation means no more rigid rules, no more counting calories, no more guilt-ridden indulgences, and no more unsustainable restrictions. Instead, it’s about developing a healthy relationship with food and our bodies. Moderation allows us to enjoy our favourite treats guilt-free while nourishing ourselves with nutrient-dense choices. It empowers us to listen to our bodies, honour hunger, and fullness cues, and break free from the cycle of emotional eating.

By focusing on overall well-being and cultivating self-acceptance, we pave the way for improved mental and emotional health. When we choose to eliminate diets altogether, we can start to focus on embracing everything in moderation, which fosters body positivity, self-love, and an appreciation for the incredible capabilities of our bodies.