Do Vapes Have Calories? (UPDATED August 2025) – Nutrition Facts, Weight Impact, and Health Breakdown

Do vapes have calories? This is one of the most frequently asked questions among both new and experienced vapers, especially those concerned about weight management and diet. While the answer might surprise you, understanding the complete picture of vaping and calories involves much more than just numbers. From the minimal caloric content in vape juice to how nicotine affects your metabolism, this comprehensive guide explores everything you need to know about vaping and its impact on your weight and health. Whether you’re trying to lose weight, maintain your current size, or simply curious about what you’re inhaling, we’ll break down the science, facts, and myths surrounding vape calories.

Do Vapes Have Calories? The Quick Answer

Yes, vape juice has calories. But, the amount of these calories alone is not enough to impact your weight loss or weight gain. Most vape juices contain approximately 4-20 calories per milliliter, but since you’re inhaling vapor rather than consuming liquid directly, the actual caloric absorption is virtually zero. One study cited by Colombia University quotes roughly 20 calories per a typical vape cartridge, which is negligible in terms of daily caloric intake.

Vape Juice Ingredients and Their Caloric Content

To understand vape calories, you need to know what’s actually in vape juice. Unlike users of dry herb vaporizers—who vape on a natural plant and obviously know what they’re loading into their vapes —you use a vaping product which consists of up to 4 key ingredients: propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, nicotine, and flavorings.

Complete Ingredient Breakdown:

The answer is yes. Vegetable glycerin, VG, and propylene glycol are both ingredients in vape juice. Both VG and PG have about 4 calories per gram.

Why Vape Calories Don’t Matter for Weight Gain

Inhalation vs. Consumption

The key difference is delivery method. When you vape, you’re inhaling vapor, not drinking liquid. The tiny amount of calories present in the ingredients are:

• Not absorbed through the lungs in meaningful quantities
• Exhaled as vapor rather than digested
• Negligible compared to daily caloric needs

These all contain a small amount of calories, at most 4 calories per gram. Some e-liquids use artificial sweeteners which will have more calories. Bear in mind you burn about 50 calories in one hour’s sleep… So a measly 4 calories is hardly posing any threat to your diet.

Vaping vs. Other Activities: Caloric Perspective

To put vape calories in perspective:

How Vaping Actually Affects Your Weight

While vape juice itself contains minimal calories, vaping can impact weight through other mechanisms:

Nicotine’s Metabolic Effects

This can directly influence body weight, which explains why some people can eat more food without gaining weight. Question is: How does nicotine spike your metabolism? Nicotine in vaping liquids and traditional cigarettes accelerates your metabolic rate. This acceleration can boost the calories you burn throughout the day.

Appetite Suppression

• Reduces hunger signals in the brain
• Delays gastric emptying making you feel fuller longer
• Affects blood sugar levels impacting cravings

Oral Fixation Replacement

Many people use vaping to replace:

• Snacking habits
• Stress eating
• Boredom eating
• Sweet cravings

Vaping vs. Other Nicotine Products: Caloric Comparison

Scientific Studies on Vaping and Weight

Research Findings:

Vaping’s impact on weight management is complex and still unclear. Some studies suggest vaping may help manage your weight, but others show mixed results.

Key Study Results:

• Short-term: 5-10% metabolic increase from nicotine
• Long-term: Mixed results on sustained weight loss
• Transitioning smokers: Often experience slight weight gain initially
• Non-smokers: Minimal weight impact from vaping alone

Flavored Vapes and Psychological Effects

Sweet Flavor Impact:

• Satisfies sweet cravings without sugar consumption
• Reduces dessert desires for some users
• May trigger appetite in others due to flavor associations
• No actual sugar absorption through inhalation

Popular Flavor Categories:

1. Dessert flavors (vanilla, chocolate, cake)
2. Fruit flavors (strawberry, mango, apple)
3. Candy flavors (gummy bears, cotton candy)
4. Beverage flavors (coffee, tea, cola)

Vaping for Weight Management: Myths vs. Facts

Facts:

• Vape juice contains minimal calories (4-20 per cartridge)
• Although you can’t absorb calories through vaping, there are still indirect ways in which electronic cigarettes and vape juice can impact your weight. For the most part, any weight-related impact of vaping is down to nicotine.
• Can help replace high-calorie snacking habits
• May slightly boost metabolism through nicotine

Myths:

• Vaping causes significant weight gain from calories
• Flavored vapes add substantial daily calories
• Vaping is an effective long-term weight loss strategy
• Sweet vapes spike blood sugar levels

Health Considerations Beyond Calories

Respiratory Health:

• Lung irritation from vapor inhalation
• Unknown long-term effects of chronic vaping
• Chemical exposure from flavorings and additives

Cardiovascular Effects:

• Increased heart rate from nicotine
• Blood pressure elevation
• Potential cardiac rhythm effects

Addiction Potential:

• Nicotine dependence development
• Behavioral addiction to vaping ritual
• Gateway concerns for non-smokers

Vaping vs. Traditional Cigarettes: Weight Impact

Who Should Avoid Vaping for Weight Control

High-Risk Groups:

• Pregnant women
• Teenagers and young adults
• People with heart conditions
• Those with respiratory issues
• Individuals prone to addiction

Safer Alternatives for Weight Management:

• Regular exercise
• Balanced nutrition
• Adequate sleep
• Stress management techniques
• Professional dietary guidance

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Do vapes have calories that can make you gain weight?

Vape juices do not play any role in weight gain, so there’s nothing to worry about. The minimal calories in vape juice are not absorbed through inhalation in quantities that would affect weight.

Q2: How many calories are in a typical vape cartridge?

A typical vape cartridge contains approximately 20 calories total, but since you inhale vapor rather than consume liquid, virtually none of these calories are absorbed by your body.

Q3: Can sweet-flavored vapes cause sugar cravings?

While sweet flavors might psychologically trigger cravings in some people, they don’t contain actual sugar and don’t cause blood sugar spikes.

Q4: Does vaping boost metabolism like cigarettes?

Yes, nicotine in vapes can increase metabolism by 3-8%, similar to but often less than traditional cigarettes.

Q5: Will switching from cigarettes to vaping cause weight gain?

Some people experience slight weight gain when switching due to improved taste/smell senses and reduced metabolic effects, but this varies individually.

Q6: Are zero-nicotine vapes completely calorie-free?

No, even nicotine-free vapes contain PG and VG with minimal calories (2-4 per ml), but absorption through inhalation is negligible.

Q7: Can I use vaping as a diet aid?

While vaping might help reduce snacking, it’s not recommended as a primary weight loss strategy due to health risks and limited effectiveness.

The Bottom Line: Calories vs. Health Impact

Caloric Reality:

To sum up, vapes don’t have many calories. People might get confused cause there are different flavors in vape e-liquids. It’s important to not mix up worries about health risks with the idea that vapes make you gain weight or add calories.

Key Takeaways:

• Minimal caloric impact from vape juice itself
• Indirect weight effects primarily from nicotine
• Not a recommended weight management tool
• Focus on proven methods for healthy weight control

Professional Recommendations

For Current Smokers:

• Vaping may help reduce cigarette consumption
• Monitor weight changes during transition
• Seek professional support for complete cessation

For Non-Smokers:

• Avoid starting vaping for weight control
• Consider proven weight management strategies
• Consult healthcare providers for diet concerns

For Current Vapers:

• Don’t worry about vape juice calories
• Focus on overall health and nutrition
• Consider gradual nicotine reduction

Healthier Alternatives for Weight Management

Instead of relying on vaping for weight control, consider:

Proven Strategies:

1. Caloric deficit through diet and exercise
2. High-protein foods for satiety
3. Regular meal timing
4. Adequate hydration
5. Quality sleep (7-9 hours)
6. Stress reduction techniques
7. Professional nutritional guidance

Natural Appetite Control:

• Fiber-rich foods
• Green tea (natural metabolism boost)
• Protein at each meal
• Mindful eating practices
• Regular physical activity

Final Verdict: The Truth About Vape Calories

When comparing the caloric impact of vaping and smoking, neither significantly contributes to calorie intake. The minimal calories in vape juice are essentially irrelevant to weight management. However, vaping’s indirect effects through nicotine and behavioral changes can influence weight, though these effects are unpredictable and vary greatly between individuals.

Bottom Line: Don’t choose vaping based on calorie concerns—the caloric content is negligible. If you’re already vaping, the minimal calories shouldn’t be a dietary concern. For weight management, focus on proven strategies like balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and healthy lifestyle habits rather than relying on nicotine products.

The most important consideration isn’t calories, but the overall health implications of vaping, which remain under scientific investigation. Make informed decisions based on comprehensive health considerations rather than caloric content alone.