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Puffs, these single-use electronic cigarettes with sweet tastes and colorful packaging, seduce those who are trying to quit smoking, driven by the desire to take care of their health. However, an American study showed the harmful effects of puffs: inflammation in the brain, colon and damaged heart tissue.
Sweet tastes, colorful packaging, all ready to use. The puffs have everything to please and attract a young clientele. Among the 12 million American consumers, 18-24 year olds are particularly represented, note researchers from the University of California at San Diego. The latter have looked into the effects of these cigarettes on health. They focused on the brand JUUL LABSmoon “of the most popular companies in the field”.
To carry out their study, the specialists exposed mice to products from the brand JUUL three times a day for three months. The particularly popular mint and mango flavors were chosen for the experience.
Detrimental effects on 3 specific areas
In their study published in the journal e-lifespecialists note that “daily inhalation of JUUL for 3 months is associated with neuroinflammation”. The area of the brain particularly affected is the nucleus accumbens, “a region of the brain essential for motivation and the processing of rewards”say the specialists.
“Many JUUL users are teenagers or young adults whose brains are still developing, so it’s quite terrifying to learn what may be going on in their brains considering how it might affect their mental health and behavior at long term”said Dr. Laura Crotty Alexander, associate professor of medicine at UC San Diego School of Medicine and author of the study.
The researchers noted inflammation in the colon, “which could increase the risk of gastrointestinal disease”, they explain. In contrast, the heart shows reduced levels of inflammatory markers. According to the authors, this could make heart tissue more vulnerable to infection.
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Distinct effects based on flavor
The inflammatory response of the organs concerned is different depending on the tastes tested. “The hearts of mice that inhaled mint aerosols were significantly more susceptible to the effects of bacterial pneumonia than those that inhaled mango aerosols”explain the researchers.
“If a person who frequently uses menthol-flavored JUUL e-cigarettes were infected with COVID-19, their body may react differently to the infection”warns Laura Crotty Alexander. “This shows us that chemical flavorings themselves also cause pathological changes”concludes the specialist.