According to a new study conducted by University College of London, some of the flavors contained in e-cigarette products could damage sperm and degrade fertility in men. The toxic chemicals found in the flavors concerned would damage some testicular cells and limit sperm progression.
BUBBLE GUM AND CINNAMON AROMAS ON THE ACCUSED BENCH
According to researchers at University College London, some e-liquids could damage sperm because of chemicals in the aroma. The taste " Cannelle "(Cinnamon) would limit the progression of sperm in men when the aroma Bubble Gum would go so far as to kill cells that produce sperm in the testes.
While it is well known that regular cigarettes can degrade male fertility due to DNA damage, electronic cigarettes are more widely known as a healthy alternative to smoking. Despite this, researchers at University College London have found that even without nicotine, the aromas of e-liquids may well affect the chances of starting a family for many men.
The scientists from the University of Salford, have discovered that some e-liquid flavors like butterscotch or menthol could cause lung damage by killing bronchial cells, they also call for better safety controls on aromas.
The danger for the sperm would therefore come from the chemicals contained in the flavors, which are toxic for the human body such as coumarin for example which is a cheaper version of cinnamon bark and which is commonly found in the flavors sold in the UK of Chinese manufacture.
Helen o'neill, the lead author of the study presented his results yesterday at the British Fertility Conference in Edinburgh saying that these were "shockingAnd adding, " that in terms of motility, progression and concentration of sperm, there was an adverse effect. »
According to her " E-cigarettes are put forward as a health alternative to smoking. The vape is less harmful than conventional cigarettes, but it does not remain without harmful effects »
WHAT PROCESS FOR THIS STUDY?
There is more of 7 000 flavors different e-liquids but those tested were the two most popular, cinnamon and bubble gum, all in simple devices containing only propylene glycol. Sperm samples were taken from 30 men, tested with similar flavor concentrations to occasional and more habitual e-cigarette consumers.
The researchers found that the sperm exposed to the highest concentration of aromas moved much more slowly, with their progression being affected. The biggest impact seen came from the cinnamon flavor.
The men, who were undergoing IVF, but had healthy sperm, were not able to use the devices directly, so the aromas were inserted directly into the semen with the same exposure concentrations, no nicotine. 'being included.
A second experiment was performed to see how mice exposed to the aromas might react, the chemicals in their testes simply killed them. It was the Bubble Gum flavor that had the greatest effect as a large number of dead cells were found in the testicular tissue.
Dr O'Neill said that these chemicals can therefore adversely affect male fertility as a result of the absorption of toxins that are produced when heating e-cigarettes.
FLAVORS DESIGNED FOR FOOD AND NOT INHALATION!
You should know that many flavors are only regulated for food and based on consumption rather than inhalation. According to Dr O'Neill " There are very few regulations authorizing them in the market. Some are classified as food additives and this is how the system is bypassed »
The study to be published this month coincides with another study from the University of Salford on e-liquid flavors and the risk of lung damage. The experts, who published their results in the journal Scientific Progress, studied 20 refills of e-liquids with nine different flavors: Cherry, Strawberry, Ice Mint, Menthol, Tobacco, Blueberry, Vanilla, Bubble gum, and butterscotch purchased from stores. and on the internet.
In laboratory tests on human bronchial cells, all the flavors were toxic. Fruit and coffee being the least harmful, caramel and tobacco being the most harmful. After being exposed for more than 72 hours, the cells did not recover.
«We are talking about flavors that are normally ingested in foods where the tissue is very different from the lung tissue"Said the Dr. Patricia Ragazzon from the University's Biomedical Research Center.
«When inhaled, some of the aromas we tested were found to be substantially toxic, and prolonged exposure killed the bronchi completely.". According to her, it is quite clear: “NOur work proves that e-cigarettes and especially the ingredients contained in e-liquids can change structure after the heating process if they have not been carefully characterized or evaluated."
