Nicotine pouches like ZYN have gained a lot of popularity on social media as a safer, more subtle, and more convenient method of getting your nicotine buzz without any smoke and excess spit involved.
Their efficiency and the signature tingling, known as the “zyngle” you get when you place the pouch in your mouth, have led to a rumor that ZYN pouches contain fiberglass.
To correct the misinformation surrounding ZYN pouches and explain what using them involves, we’ll look at the following questions:
- Is there fiberglass in ZYN pouches?
- What’s in ZYN pouches?
- Why do ZYN pouches make your gums tingle?
- How can you get the most out of your ZYNs?
Source: Pixabay
Is There Fiberglass in ZYN Pouches?
There is no fiberglass in ZYN pouches. Fiberglass is a composite material made from a resin matrix reinforced by fine glass fibers. It’s mainly used in environments where metal corrosion is likely, like chemical processing plants and coastal zones.
The rumor that has people wondering do ZYN pouches contain fiberglass stems from claims that the tingling sensation users experience comes from microscopic cuts in the gums and lips caused by fiberglass. These cuts are supposed to enhance the flavor and nicotine delivery. The truth is—nicotine is an irritant—so if you were to use ZYN pouches with micro-cuts in your mouth, the experience would be much worse because of the pain you’d feel.
Another source for this rumor is the decades-long story that was originally about trace amounts of fiberglass in cigarette filters and has since been associated with several nicotine products.
Why Do ZYN Pouches Make Your Gums Tingle?
The tingling when you use a ZYN means it’s working. As your saliva wets the pouch, it releases a steady flow of flavor and nicotine.
An entire experience—tingle included—goes like this:
- 0–5 minutes: The pouch gets wet from your saliva and delivers nicotine. The tingling is at its strongest here
- 5–10 minutes: The tingling is mostly gone, and you’re starting to feel the effects of nicotine in your bloodstream
- 10–20 minutes: Most of the nicotine has entered your bloodstream, and the effects are noticeable. There is no more tingling
- 20–30 minutes: Nicotine levels are at their peak, and you feel the full effect of the pouch
Once you’re past the 30-minute mark, you don’t get anything but flavor from the ZYN. If you enjoy the taste, you can keep your pouch for up to 60 minutes, but past that point, the taste will be gone, too.
What’s in ZYN Pouches?
ZYN pouches are made from pharmaceutical-grade nicotine and food-grade ingredients. These ingredients help ZYN pouches provide a discreet, smoke-free experience while minimizing health risks. Most of them can also be found in many other products.
You can take a look at a detailed ingredient list of ZYN pouches below:
| Nicotine Salt | Pharmaceutical-grade nicotine derived from tobacco plants that provides nicotine buzz without inhalation or smoke |
| Sweeteners | Adds sweetness to the pouches without affecting blood sugar levels |
| Fillers | Add bulk and texture to the pouches without negatively impacting delivery or taste |
| pH Balancers | Balances the pH level in the mouth, ensuring a comfortable sensation with an enhanced flavor profile |
| Stabilizers | Maintains consistency and prevents clumping in the pouch |
| Flavorings | Combinations of natural extracts that give ZYN pouches their signature flavors |
| Granulation Agent | Binds the ingredients together during production and ensures even distribution within pouches |
It’s worth noting that gum arabic and microcrystalline cellulose—used as fillers—are found in dental care products. Testing on gum arabic has shown that it may have a positive effect on the enamel, and cellulose is used as an abrasive in toothpaste.
Considering they are found in small amounts in pouches, the scale of benefits from these ingredients is up for debate, but it is safe to assume they won’t harm you.
Source: Suzy Hazelwood
Is There Sugar in ZYN?
ZYN nicotine pouches are sugar-free. Instead of sugar, they use acesulfame K—a sweetener commonly found in sweets and beverages—to enhance their flavor without increasing blood sugar levels.
Because acesulfame K doesn’t affect your blood sugar, you can use ZYN pouches even if you are diabetic. However, you should consult your doctor before you start using ZYN to minimize health concerns.
Do ZYNs Have Gluten?
Technically speaking, ZYN pouches are gluten-free. According to the FDA, foods must contain less than 20 ppm (parts per million) of gluten—the lowest amount currently detectable—to be considered gluten-free. After rigorous testing, ZYN pouches have been proven to have less than 20 ppm of gluten, meaning they belong in this category.
However, this accounts for the average sensitivity. Health conditions are highly individual, so if you suffer from celiac disease or have gluten sensitivity, consult with your doctor before using ZYNs.
Source: Pixabay
Are ZYNs Diet Friendly?
ZYN pouches have less than one calorie per pouch, so they are diet-friendly. With less than a calorie per pouch, their carbohydrate content is negligible, so they will not affect you if you’re on a keto diet.
In fact, if you are attempting to lose weight, ZYNs can help you lose weight faster. The nicotine you absorb from ZYN pouches can suppress your appetite through metabolic pathways in the brain, reducing your daily caloric intake.
Nicotine also stimulates the production of adrenaline which can increase your resting metabolic rate. A higher metabolic rate paired with a reduced caloric intake will make the calorie deficit larger and speed up your weight loss journey.
Oral Health Concerns
There’s currently no conclusive research that points to definitive effects of nicotine pouches on your oral health in the long term. This doesn’t mean that they are completely harmless, however, since studies do agree that there’s a possible link between nicotine pouches and oral health concerns.
While less harmful than cigarettes and vapes, nicotine pouches can still possibly cause or exacerbate oral health issues. Some of the issues to look out for are:
- Reduced saliva production
- Gum inflammation
- Sore throat
Reduced Saliva Production
Nicotine has been linked to reduced saliva production and quality. Saliva is crucial in maintaining oral health since it helps wash out excess food and bacterial residue, keeping your mouth clean. If there is not enough saliva, bacteria can build up and break down the residue found on your teeth, making your breath smell bad.
It’s important to note that studies linking nicotine and reduced saliva production were done on smokers and vape users, so the same risks may not apply to ZYN users.
Gum Inflammation
Although less harsh than inhalable methods, ZYN pouches still irritate your gums both via nicotine delivery and the pouches rubbing against them. Depending on your gums’ sensitivity, this can turn the tingling into a burning sensation.
The increased sensitivity can make cleaning gums more difficult, leading to more serious gum issues like inflammation or, in extreme cases, gum recession.
Source: Picas Joe
Sore Throat
A mild scratchy feeling in the throat is a commonly reported side effect of ZYN use. The nicotine in ZYN pouches slightly irritates the lining of the throat, leading to mild tingling and soreness as it travels through the blood vessels in the throat.
If your throat starts to hurt while you keep a ZYN in, you should remove the pouch right away and spit out your saliva. Swallowing ZYN spit can expose your throat to more nicotine, making things worse.
Aside from irritation caused by nicotine, a sore throat can be caused by heartburn, allergies, and dehydration.
How Can You Get the Most Out of Your ZYNs
If you want to know how to use ZYN pouches the most effective way, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Asses which strength is for you: Many problems related to ZYN use stem from not knowing the appropriate strength level. If you’re not sure how to approach this, comparing ZYN nicotine content to cigarettes is a good starting point
- Follow your reactions: Many factors can impact your reaction to a ZYN. If you pay attention and remove the pouch when you start feeling off, you can stop possible side effects
- Use one pouch at a time: The idea behind ZYN is that one pouch at a time is enough for a good, long buzz. When you place more than one pouch at a time, you’re putting unnecessary strain on your gums and wasting pouches. Needing two or more pouches to feel a buzz is a sign you should increase ZYN strength
- Wait between pouches: Although they are on the milder end of the spectrum, ZYN pouches still increase nicotine levels in your blood. Finding the best time between each pouch can help you maintain a consistent buzz without the risk of nicotine overexposure
One of the most important things to consider is that high-quality pouches are the best way to have a good experience consistently. When you buy your pouches from brands like ZYN, you can rest easy knowing they have been rigorously tested to give you the best buzz with minimal risk.
Where To Get Quality Pouches
When you buy from SnusBoss, you get to choose from a lineup of fantastic, quality pouches imported from the EU.
The experts who run SnusBoss guarantee that their pouches are high-quality and fresh, with a long-lasting flavor and buzz that accompanies each use.
Aside from ZYN, SnusBoss also has offers from these premium brands:
To order from SnusBoss, you need to follow three simple steps:
- Go to the online store
- Choose your favorite ZYN flavor and strength
- Put in your shipping and payment information
Check express shipping and get your pouches within 2–3 business days. When you buy from SnusBoss, you also get access to these perks:
- Free shipping on all orders above $249
- Competitive prices and bulk discounts
- Regular discounts and promotions
Keep in mind that you have to be at least 21 years old to legally purchase and use nicotine pouches.
Featured image source: ZYN
