Flavoured additives in e-cigarettes can cause heart damage
New Delhi, Jun 15 (ANI): Flavoured additives used in electronic cigarettes can impair blood vessel function and lead to heart damage, a new study revealed. E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid -- including tobacco-derived nicotine, flavouring and other additives -- and produce an aerosol that is inhaled. According to the study, short-term effects were found on endothelial cells, which line the blood vessels and the inside of the heart. Researchers found all nine flavours were dangerous to cells in the laboratory at the highest levels tested and all the flavourings impaired nitric oxide production in endothelial cells in culture (outside of the body). Several of the flavourings - menthol, clove, vanillin, cinnamon and burnt flavouring - resulted in higher levels of an inflammatory marker and lower levels of nitric oxide, a molecule that inhibits inflammation and clotting, and regulates vessels' ability to widen in response to greater blood flow. The findings suggest that these flavouring additives may have serious health consequences.
