Vanilla flavouring in vapes may be linked to difficulty conceiving and miscarriages

A chemical found in the vanilla flavouring used in vapes may be linked to miscarriages in women, a study has claimed.

Vanillin is an organic compound that helps give products the smell and taste of vanilla, and is found in different vape flavours.

Although the dangers for women who smoke during pregnancy are widely known, the consequences of vaping are less clear.

Findings from an American study reveal there is a chance vanillin can disrupt the development of embryos, including killing cells within the embryo, or disrupting the formation of muscles and the nervous system.

This is because the vanillin can bind with a receptor called TRPV4, which then disrupts its function.

“In normal development, the embryonic stem cells would form three cell types: endoderm, ectoderm and mesoderm,” Professor Prue Talbot from the University of California said.

He added that vanillin may disrupt the production of some of these cell types.

“In embryos lacking ectoderm, the nervous system would fail to develop. In embryos lacking mesoderm, many tissues, such as muscle, would fail to develop.”

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These are issues that could lead to difficulty in conceiving or miscarriages.

The study was conducted using human embryonic stem cells cultured in dishes in a lab, which were exposed to different concentrations of vanillin.

While the authors emphasised the findings were only introductory and that there was no guarantee the chemical would have the same impact on the embryo of a pregnant woman, it represented an important step in understanding the long-term impacts of vaping.

“Women do not necessarily know the chemicals in vape products,” Talbot said.

“Our findings suggest they should be cautious and be advised by physicians not to vape during pregnancy, especially if they are having trouble conceiving or experience miscarriages.”

She said the findings could help develop health policies that would protect women during pregnancy, and would educate the public to potential risks in vaping.

“The prenatal stages of development are usually the most sensitive to environmental chemicals. When establishing policies for e-cigarette use and distribution, it would be advisable to consider if and how the products harm the unborn,” Talbot said.

Please note the information in this story is general in nature. Please always consult your GP or health professional for advice that is tailored to your specific health concerns.