Electronic Cigarette Ingredients: What Is VG?

There are four common ingredients found in eliquid (the liquid found inside electronic cigarettes), one of these is Vegetable Glycerol (also referred to as VG, Glycerin or Glycerine). Glycerol is a naturally occurring, simple sugar alcohol compound which is thick, colorless and odourless. Glycerol is widely used in pharmaceuticals, it is also used in the food industry as a sweetener and preservative, as a filler in low fat foods and as a thickening agent in liqueurs. In food, Glycerol is referred to as E number E422. Glycerol is classified as being a carbohydrate with a very low toxicity level. Although it has a similar calorific value to regular sugar, it has a different GI index so is metabolised in the body differently making it a better substitute for those with a low sugar or carbohydrate diet. Glycerol is also tooth friendly as it doesn't feed the bacteria that causes dental cavities. Glycerol is used in medicines and pharcaeuticals, mainly to provide lubrication. It is used in every day products such as cough medicines, toothpastes and mouthwashes. Glycerol was used in anti-freeze products but was replaced by Ethylene Glycol as it has a lower minimum freezing point. Ethylene Glycol is toxic however and it is currently being decided whether anti-freeze products should switch back to Glycerol as it is much safer. 70% Glycerol in water has a minimum freezing point temperature of about 37.8 °c. Eliquids are available containing 100% Glycerol, perfect for those who suffer from Propylene Glycol sensitivity however these eliquids are much thicker than ones containing a mixture of Propylene Glycol and Glycerol, and it has been reported that they can cause damage to the electronic cigarettes as it adds additional resistance. Litejoy provides a range of eliquids available with or without nicotine. View our eliquid range. Litejoy Electronic Cigarettes