Is Hookah Bad For You?
Also Known As: waterpipe, narguile, argilah, hubble-bubble
Short answer
Contrary to popular belief, hookah is not a healthy alternative to cigarettes. Hookah can increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, illness or infection, and fetal issues when used during pregnancy.
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Hookahs are water pipes used to smoke specially flavored tobacco. Bars have erupted throughout the United States in which groups "pass the hookah pipe" around the circle, all using the same mouthpiece to smoke the tobacco. Hookah is legal but it is not safe or sanitary.
Hookah is commonly considered a healthy alternative to cigarette smoking, but in reality, hookah exposes users to many of the same risks. Risks arise from the chemicals users are exposed to from the charcoal that heats the tobacco in a hookah pipe. Common diseases resulting from hookah use include bladder cancer, oral cancer, lung cancer, and heart disease; effects on infants born to mothers who used hookah regularly during pregnancy include low birth weight and sometimes long-term respiratory problems. Fun fact: a 1-hour long "hookah session" averages around 200 puffs, while a cigarette is around 20.
Aside from these serious diseases, sharing a hookah pipe from one person to the next greatly increases the risk of infections spread through saliva like the common cold, gastrointestinal infections, influenza, and much more.
Recently, shisha has been advertised as a safe, tobacco-free alternative for hookah smoking, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shisha use can expose users to the same harmful chemicals and increase the risk for the same diseases.
Possible short-term side effects
- increased blood pressure
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increased heart rate
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narrowing of arteries
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light headedness
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addiction
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infection/illness from sharing
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harmful effects on newborn (if pregnant)
Possible long-term side effects
- lung cancer
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bladder cancer
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oral cancer
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infection/illness from sharing
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tooth decay
Ingredients to be aware of
- metals
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carcinogens
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carbon monoxide
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molasses or honey
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nicotine
Healthier alternatives
- e-cigs (no long-term research)
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Written by Kathan Natrajan
Published on: 12-28-2015
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Kathan Natrajan
Published on: 12-28-2015
Last updated: 12-10-2016
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