How Many Calories Are in a Vape?

Vaping has become a popular alternative to smoking, but many users wonder about its impact on diet and fitness. A common question that arises is: How many calories are in a vape? With the rise of calorie-conscious lifestyles, vapers want to know whether inhaling flavored e-liquids contributes to their daily intake.

While food and drinks have clear caloric values, vaping introduces a different factor. E-liquids contain ingredients that have calories, but does that mean vaping affects your weight? In this guide, we’ll break down the caloric content of vape juice, how much (if any) your body absorbs, and whether vaping has any impact on weight gain.

Do Vapes Have Calories?

Yes, vape juice does contain calories, primarily due to its base ingredients—vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG). These two components are widely used in food and pharmaceutical products, and both have a caloric value. VG, in particular, is commonly found in food products such as syrups and artificial sweeteners, while PG is used in some processed foods and medicines.

However, the calorie count in vape juice is very low compared to what you consume in food or beverages. Unlike a soft drink or a snack that might contain hundreds of calories per serving, an entire bottle of e-liquid contains only a small fraction of that. While the presence of calories in vape juice is a fact, the real question is whether these calories have any significant effect on your body.

How Many Calories Are in Vape Juice?

• VG contains approximately 4 calories per gram (similar to sugar).
• PG has around 4 calories per gram as well.
• Flavorings add negligible calories.
• Nicotine itself contains no calories.

Most vape juices consist of a VG/PG mix, with VG being the main caloric contributor. A 1mL bottle of vape juice contains around 5–10 calories, depending on its VG content.

Do You Absorb Calories from Vaping?

While it’s true that VG and PG contain calories, the way they are consumed through vaping is entirely different from eating or drinking. When you vape, you are inhaling aerosolized particles, not digesting solid or liquid food. Unlike food that goes through your digestive system and gets absorbed into the bloodstream, the majority of the vapor is simply exhaled.

Scientific studies suggest that the body absorbs only trace amounts of VG or PG from vaping, meaning the caloric impact is close to zero. Even if some minute portion of VG or PG enters the body, it is so insignificant that it does not contribute to weight gain or provide any real energy. Vaping, in essence, does not work like food consumption, and any calorie-related concerns are largely unfounded.

Can Vaping Cause Weight Gain?

Vaping itself does not cause weight gain, as the calorie intake is too low to make any difference. However, some vapers have noticed changes in their appetite or eating habits after switching to vaping. One of the primary reasons for this is nicotine, which has well-documented appetite-suppressing properties. Many smokers and vapers report that nicotine reduces their cravings for snacks and meals.

On the other hand, those who quit smoking and switch to vaping sometimes experience temporary weight gain. This is mainly due to the body adjusting to the absence of cigarette chemicals that previously affected metabolism and appetite. While vaping may help some individuals maintain their weight by suppressing cravings, it does not actively contribute to weight loss or gain.

Does Vape Flavoring Add Calories?

Vape juices come in a variety of flavors, from fruity blends to dessert-inspired options like vanilla custard and chocolate. Some vapers wonder whether these flavors contain additional calories, similar to how flavored syrups or sugary drinks do. However, the amount of flavoring in vape juice is extremely small, typically less than 10% of the total e-liquid composition.

Since flavoring compounds are used in tiny amounts, their caloric contribution is practically negligible. Even sweet-tasting e-liquids do not add extra calories in a way that would impact your diet. This means that whether you prefer fruity, minty, or dessert-like flavors, you don’t need to worry about any meaningful caloric intake from your vaping habits.

Conclusion

So, how many calories are in a vape? The answer is: very few. While vape juice contains ingredients with caloric value, vaping does not function the same way as eating or drinking. The minuscule calorie content in e-liquid is not absorbed in any significant way, making it a non-factor in weight management.

For those tracking their calorie intake or concerned about weight gain, vaping should not be a concern. If anything, nicotine’s appetite-suppressing effects might even contribute to reduced cravings. Ultimately, vaping’s impact on weight and calories is so minor that it does not warrant dietary consideration.