FitSugar

Another Reason to Quit Smoking: Taste

FitSugar — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 03:30:14 -0700

If you're looking for motivation to quit smoking, I have another reason to tack onto your list: taste. A recent study performed in Greece found that smoking literally dulls the taste buds. In the small study, the smokers had flatter tastes buds compared with their nonsmoking counterparts. The shape of the buds may affect the sense of taste for Pavlidis Pavlos, the leading researcher in the study, remarked that,

"Statistically important differences between the taste thresholds of smokers and nonsmokers were detected. Smoking is an important factor which can lead to decreased taste sensitivity."

Food is fuel, but we all eat for taste as well and when you are missing out on flavor you might also be tempted to eat more to reach a satiation point. Need some more reasons to kick the habit? Check out all these reasons to quit smoking.

Another Reason to Quit Smoking: Popularity

FitSugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 12:00:00 -0700

There are so many health-related reasons to quit smoking, and now there is a new reason to add to that on-going list. This reason, however, has nothing to do with your heart or lungs; it has to do with your social standing.

A new study found that smoking might just be detrimental to popularity and social standing. Where smokers were once the center of the party, they have been moved to the periphery (think of all the smokers outside of bars). It seems that people start smoking in groups and also quit smoking in groups. If members of a social group quit smoking, there is a 36 percent chance that their friends will quit, too. A positive pack mentality (pun intended). If some members of the peer group continued to smoke, they tend to form their own social groups on the periphery of their former social network. However, once the smoker that was slow to quit stops smoking, they tend to move back to a more central position in their friendship groups. It pays to quit smoking, not only for your health, but for the health of your friendships.

Looking to quit? Check out: Tips to Quit Smoking. Since it is easier to quit in groups, why not make it a group activity and invite your friends to a smokeout.

Source

Another Reason to Quit Smoking: Sleep

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:00:00 -0800

If you're still smoking and looking for more reasons to quit . . .

New research has found that smokers are four times more likely to feel tired when they wake up and they spend less time in deep sleep than nonsmokers do. Why you ask? Well researches think smokers experience nicotine withdrawal each night, which disturbs the smoker's sleep. I don't know about you, but I value my sleep far too much. So take this as just another friendly reminder to try to quit smoking if you haven't already started.

Source

Another Reason to Quit Smoking: Hearing Problems

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:30:00 -0800

Maybe you or someone close to you is thinking of quitting smoking. All I can say is: Go for it! Quitting smoking is a win-win situation; it puts more money in your pocket and more air in your lungs. Plus, it is one of the most important things you can do for your overall health. No joke!

It turns out that there is yet another reason to give up smokes: It could affect your hearing. A recent study performed by Yale University found that teenagers who smoked, or who were exposed to smoke, had difficulty focusing and interpreting sounds amid other distractions. Brain scans show alterations in brain matter responsible for transmitting messages, so researchers believe that nicotine is responsible for creating changes in the structure of the brain matter.

If you are still looking for motivation, check out all these reasons to quit smoking. The list will surely make you think twice the next time you light up.

Source

Another Reason to Quit Smoking: Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

FitSugar — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 08:45:00 -0800

The reasons to quit smoking keep piling up and here is the latest: smoking may increase your risk for type 2 diabetes.

In a review of 25 different diabetes and smoking studies that combined involved over one million people, the data revealed that smokers are 44 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. The different studies involved in the review lasted as short as five years and as long as 30 years. Heavy smokers, people who smoked 20 cigarettes or more a day, were more at risk than people who smoked only a few cigarettes a day. The study did not prove that smoking directly causes type 2 diabetes but illustrated that there is indeed some correlation between the two. I think that relationship definitely merits more research.

If you are trying to quit smoking, check out these widgets from the American Cancer Society. They will help you count down to your quit day as well as help you fight the cravings when you do decide to give up your smokes.

Source

Another Reason To Stop Smoking: Acne

FitSugar — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Aside from the countless health reasons to quit smoking, there are vanity reasons as well. Smoking doesn't just cause wrinkles, it has been connected with a type of acne. A recent Italian study found a connection between smoking and non-inflammatory acne (NIA), characterized by many types of blemishes we try to avoid: blocked pores, large white heads and small cysts.

In a study of 1,000 women, 40% of those who smoked had non-inflammatory acne, compared to only 10% of the non-smoking women who participated. While the authors of the study do admit there are other factors involved like stress and hormonal fluctuation, there still seems to be enough evidence connecting smoking and NIA.

If you are looking to quit smoking, check out these tips from the American Cancer Society. Giving up cigarettes is one of the healthiest things you can do for your body and face!

Source

Another Reason Not to Smoke: Dementia

FitSugar — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 02:00:00 -0700

There are so many reasons to quit smoking and now here's a new one to add to the mountain of evidence urging you to kick the habit in the butt (sorry, but I had to give in to that pun).

A recent study concluded that smokers are putting themselves at risk for dementia. Participants who were smokers during the study were 50 percent more likely to develop dementia than people who had never smoked or were former smokers (that means giving up tobacco right now can significantly reduce your chances of developing dementia).

Dementia is linked to cerebrovascular disease and guess what? Smoking contributes to the risk of developing cerebrovascular disease. Another way smoking can contribute to dementia is by oxidative stress, which by damaging blood vessel cells can lead to hardening of the arteries. Smokers have higher rates of greater oxidative stress when compared to nonsmokers, and increased oxidative stress has been linked to developing Alzheimer's.

Looking to quit (I hope you are)? Then here are some tips on quitting and staying smoke free!

Source

Another Reason to Quit Smoking: Depression

FitSugar — Wed, 30 May 2007 02:00:00 -0700

There are so many horrible things that can come from smoking cigarettes that it is really insane that cigarettes are still around.

Yet another study, this one from The University of Helsinki, has found another negative side effect of smoking cigarettes. Finnish researchers found that smokers may have a higher risk of depression than those who have never smoked. As if cancer, wrinkles, heart disease, breathing problems, stained teeth, etc... weren't reason enough to give it up, now you can add depression to the list.

Smoking is gross and dangerous to everyone. So if you still smoke, do yourself and those who love you, a favor and quit already.

Another Reason to Stop Smoking and Something to Help the CRAVINGS

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 16:52:04 -0700

You all know that I am anti-smoking - not much of a shocker. People are motivated to quit for a variety of reasons, with health and beauty topping the list. If you smoke and are looking for reasons to quit this new study on smoking might just be the motivation you are looking for.

The Archives of Dermatology just released a
a study on smoking, the skin and aging. Not only does smoke create wrinkles on the face, it affects the skin all over the body, even skin protected from the sun. WOW. Smokers had an increased number of fine wrinkles on their inner arms than non-smokers. It seems that smoking can also damage the connective tissue that supports both the skin and the internal organs.

Participants in the study were in their 40's and older, so if you smoke and you care about your skin you should stop now. And guess what? New research indicates that exercise, as little as five minutes, seems to help curb cravings for a cigarette. Of course I think that is so great that exercise can help reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Researchers found that exercise was just as effective as the patch. How great is that? Exercise helps you quit smoking and quitting smoking helps you exercise. So if you are quitting, a brisk walk around the block could be just the thing to get you past that craving.

If are considering quitting check out these tips from the American Cancer Society.

Another Great Reason to Quit Smoking

FitSugar — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 02:30:00 -0800

As if we weren't inundated with enough reasons and pure scientific evidence to quit smoking, here's one more...