How exactly smoking affects weight loss is a question that has long been in the sphere of the closest attention of scientists from around the world. A slender woman or a fit man with a cigarette is a classic image of a smoker. And although there are a lot of full people with nicotine addiction in the world, it is still believed that tobacco poison in an incomprehensible way helps to control weight.

The largest study of this smoking problem was carried out in the early 2000s. These were scientists from University College in London. Specialists wanted to understand what the source of this phenomenon was, and for 6 years they watched 3,000 thousand adolescents – from 11 years old to 16 years old. Some of the subjects smoked, and some did not.                

As a result, it turned out that absolutely no difference in weight, body mass index, calorie or fatty foods in smoking and non-smoking boys and girls there. All differences appear later, when a long nicotine experience leads to dangerous changes in the body.

Another major experiment proved that weight gain during smoking does not always stop. In many cases, due to endocrine disorders, the principle by which fats are stored changes.   

For regular smokers, fats are deposited according to the masculine principle, the “apple”, around the waist and upper body. Such a phenomenon can significantly disfigure a female figure, which is traditionally shaped like a “pear” – a thin waist and pronounced hips.

If we talk about the reasons for the harmony of smokers, then the research of scientists from Cornell University in New York was truly breakthrough .   

Experts have found that nicotine stimulates the work of the AZGP1 gene, which in turn ensures the full functioning of the respiratory system. And partly for burning fat and processing fast carbohydrates. When a person smokes, the gene tries to protect primarily the respiratory system, and increased metabolism becomes a kind of “side effect”.

The effect of smoking on weight

But the effect of nicotine on the figure is explained not only by the active work of an unknown gene with a mysterious name.

When a person smokes a cigarette, a whole range of factors (physical and psychological) come into play that affect not only the presence of unnecessary kilograms, but also the appearance of the smoker as a whole.

But does smoking really contribute to weight loss and what exactly affects weight:

In the process of smoking, saliva is actively produced, while food does not enter the body. In a deceived stomach, small ulcers may form due to increased acid, and contractile function also decreases over time. As a result, appetite decreases and digestive problems begin – severity, colitis, gastritis, etc.   

The smoker’s body is constantly forced to fight the toxic effects of nicotine. Not only those calories that come with food are spent on this, but also the internal reserves of the body, which is why the already deferred calories are burned.   

Often, smoking serves as a salvation from stress for a person. A smoked cigarette replaces a sandwich and a chocolate bar, as a result, fewer calories come in and the body has nowhere to replenish the reserves of adipose tissue.   

Tobacco poison, getting into the bloodstream, stimulates the production of the glycogen hormone. Typically, the body uses it as an energy fuel in case of emergency, but here it is taken for ordinary, natural glucose and put into action. Therefore, the feeling of hunger is dulled for some period.   

Nicotine disrupts the endocrine glands, which causes a hormonal malfunction. As a result, normal metabolism is distorted, and fats are deposited “in the wrong places.” Hence the accumulation of adipose tissue around the waist, while the hips and legs remain still slender. Therefore, in some way, a bad habit even interferes with weight loss.   

Nicotine disrupts the functioning of blood vessels and causes oxygen deficiency. Because of this, blood circulation and lymph outflow are disturbed, the skin becomes gray, flabby, and cellulite develops. Even slender people.

Weight gain after giving up the habit

After giving up a cigarette, the body slowly but surely returns to its normal working rhythm. And this often entails a natural weight gain. This phenomenon is noticed by many smokers with experience, but the reasons for the sharp fullness are understandable.

First of all, the psychological factor comes into play. For any person, giving up cigarettes is a great stress, and the easiest way to combat stress is to seize it. The former smoker is trying to drown out the “ nicotine breaking ” with pies, sandwiches and sweets, and the figure on the scales is rapidly creeping up.

In addition, appetite at this time increases naturally. The glycogen level returns to normal, and the body requires its share of glucose, which means tasty and high-calorie food.

Avoiding the appearance of extra pounds after you quit smoking is quite realistic.

To quit smoking and not replenish just follow a few simple rules:

In the first weeks after quitting nicotine doping, it is important to clearly plan your diet. In the first months, a tendency to gain weight remains, so a balanced diet is simply necessary. In addition, a healthy diet will help to quickly restore proper metabolism.                

Physical activity above all. You should start small – daily walks, swimming, then – your favorite sport, fitness, etc. Exercise not only helps to burn excess fat, they contribute to the production of the “pleasure hormone” dopamine, and this helps not to break loose and not to return to cigarettes again.                

Try to maximize your day. Favorite work, sports, meetings with friends, walks – a tight schedule will allow you not to think about smoking every minute and overcome dependency as quickly as possible.                

What experts say

At the same time, smoking is not always accompanied by harmony. In smokers with many years often there is a serious hormonal failure, when the body can not fully process the nutrients. Therefore, even those people who eat relatively little, the reserves of adipose tissue are rapidly increasing.

Former smokers in the first months also have a tendency to accelerate weight gain. Due to severe stress, the number of meals per day can grow up to 8-9 times a day, because of this, people sometimes gain up to 10 kg in the first month.

However, these problems can easily be avoided if you eat right and remember about physical activity. Then the metabolism soon normalizes, the endocrine glands stabilize, and after a few months the weight will return to normal. And other “bonuses” of the nicotine-free life will be added to the slim figure – radiant even skin, shiny hair, strong nails and overall well-being.