In a first of its kind, a study led by Newcastle University study found that vapers have the same combination of gut bacteria as non-smokers, whereas smokers have significant changes to theirs.

Researchers analysed bacteria taken from the digestive tract, including the mouth and gut of smokers, vapers and non-smokers. Gut bacteria such as the Prevotella bacteria, which is linked to colon cancer and colitis, was increased in smokers whereas the beneficial bacteria, Bacteroides, was significantly decreased. Lower levels of the latter are associated with Crohn’s disease and obesity.

It is interesting to note that the study found that the gut flora of non-smokers and vapers were the same. This is yet more proof that vaping is less harmful than smoking, and more specifically on our gut bacteria, which is essential for our overall health. In addition to this, it also showed that mouth bacteria of vapers and non-smokers were also similar.

As more and more people take up vaping, these kinds of studies are important to learn what effects it has on the body.