Smoking affects more than just your lung health. Take the first step toward a tobacco-free life through education: do you know how a smoking habit affects your food consumption?
- HEARTBURN: Smoking increases bile production in the stomach, causing smokers to experience more significant acid reflux after eating than non-smokers.
- TASTE: Dulled taste buds and reduced blood supply to the mouth and tongue means you don’t taste food as strongly.
- UNINTENTIONAL WEIGHT LOSS: Nicotine alters receptors in the brain that control hunger. For many smokers, specifically those who have difficulty maintaining their weight, gaining body mass will be difficult if fewer calories are taken in.
- UNINTENTIONAL WEIGHT GAIN: Since heavy smoking affects the distribution of body fat, it has been correlated with abdominal obesity and insulin resistance.
THE BENEFITS OF QUITTING
The benefits of quitting a smoking habit are broad, varied, and life-changing. Here are just a few:
- GET SOME SENSE- Taste buds regenerate and your sense of smell sharpens, allowing you to enjoy your food more!
- EXTRA MONEY- Now that you aren’t spending ~$200/month on cigarettes, invest this money in healthier activities like a gym membership or virtual visits with a Registered Dietitian.
- KICK THE COUGH- Your respiratory system is shaping up, allowing for increased lung capacity.
- RISKY BUSINESS- The risk of developing associated cancers and stroke gets cut in half, and in some cases may disappear!
SOURCES:
https://www.cancer.org/healthy/stay-away-from-tobacco/benefits-of-quitting-smoking-over-time.html
https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/87/4/801/4633357