Safety Profile
Known Safety Concerns
- Raises blood glucose minimally -- diabetics monitor at high doses
- Laxative effect at very high oral doses
- FDA GRAS -- safe at typical supplement amounts
- Generally one of the safest excipients
Contraindications
- Raises blood glucose minimally -- diabetics monitor at high doses
- Laxative effect at very high oral doses
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Vegetable glycerin is used as a softgel shell component, humectant, and solvent. FDA GRAS status. It is a sugar alcohol that raises blood glucose minimally and provides 4.3 kcal/g. Used as a vegetarian softgel alternative to gelatin. Very well tolerated.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- Glycerol from vegetable oils (C3H8O3)
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Excipient
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- Raises blood glucose minimally -- diabetics monitor at high doses
- Laxative effect at very high oral doses
- FDA GRAS -- safe at typical supplement amounts
- Generally one of the safest excipients
The available scientific evidence for Vegetable Glycerin indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 10/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 25 მარ 2026, 12:59
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWComparative toxicity of menthol- and tobacco-flavored electronic cigarette constituents inducing inflammation, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor modulation in the absence… ↗Pandya V et al.. Comparative toxicity of menthol- and tobacco-flavored electronic cigarette constituents inducing inflammation, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor modulation in the absence of nicotine.. Toxicol Rep. 2026. PMID:41847316.PMID 41847316 ↗Journal Toxicol RepYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41847316/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWNicotine drives acute epithelial injury in region-specific human airway models at the air-liquid interface after e-cigarette aerosol exposure. ↗Kose O et al.. Nicotine drives acute epithelial injury in region-specific human airway models at the air-liquid interface after e-cigarette aerosol exposure.. Toxicology. 2026. PMID:41796715.PMID 41796715 ↗Journal ToxicologyYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41796715/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWConcurrent Chronic-Plus-Binge Alcohol Consumption and Nicotine Vaping Alter the Cardiac Ventricular Proteome in a Preclinical Mouse Model. ↗Harris NR et al.. Concurrent Chronic-Plus-Binge Alcohol Consumption and Nicotine Vaping Alter the Cardiac Ventricular Proteome in a Preclinical Mouse Model.. Int J Mol Sci. 2026. PMID:41751762.PMID 41751762 ↗Journal Int J Mol SciYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41751762/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWFlavoring Compound Chemical Class and Vaping Conditions Determine Toxic Carbonyl Emissions from E-Cigarettes. ↗Fazeli E et al.. Flavoring Compound Chemical Class and Vaping Conditions Determine Toxic Carbonyl Emissions from E-Cigarettes.. Chem Res Toxicol. 2026. PMID:41649144.PMID 41649144 ↗Journal Chem Res ToxicolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41649144/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWE-cigarette exposure during pregnancy impairs uterine artery blood flow and feto-placental function. ↗Olverson ZA et al.. E-cigarette exposure during pregnancy impairs uterine artery blood flow and feto-placental function.. Toxicol Sci. 2026. PMID:41247316.PMID 41247316 ↗Journal Toxicol SciYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41247316/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWOxidative stress mediates cardiac electrophysiological injury in inhalation exposure to flavored vaping products. ↗Abou-Assali O et al.. Oxidative stress mediates cardiac electrophysiological injury in inhalation exposure to flavored vaping products.. Heart Rhythm. 2026. PMID:40930480.PMID 40930480 ↗Journal Heart RhythmYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40930480/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWPropylene glycol and vegetable glycerin e-cigarette aerosols impact mucociliary function and cause cytotoxicity in human airway epithelium. ↗Mittal K et al.. Propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin e-cigarette aerosols impact mucociliary function and cause cytotoxicity in human airway epithelium.. Sci Rep. 2025. PMID:41420077.PMID 41420077 ↗Journal Sci RepYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41420077/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWCytotoxic and oxidative effects of commercially available propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG): Common humectants in electronic cigarettes. ↗Sun Y et al.. Cytotoxic and oxidative effects of commercially available propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG): Common humectants in electronic cigarettes.. Toxicol Rep. 2025. PMID:41377029.PMID 41377029 ↗Journal Toxicol RepYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41377029/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWAerosol PG/VG mass ratio-based regulatory indicators for electronic cigarette device oversight: Linking heating temperature to harmful carbonyl formation in aerosols. ↗Oh SG et al.. Aerosol PG/VG mass ratio-based regulatory indicators for electronic cigarette device oversight: Linking heating temperature to harmful carbonyl formation in aerosols.. J Hazard Mater. 2025. PMID:41297268.PMID 41297268 ↗Journal J Hazard MaterYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41297268/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWToxicity of humectants propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin in electronic nicotine delivery systems. ↗Sun Y et al.. Toxicity of humectants propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin in electronic nicotine delivery systems.. Toxicol Lett. 2025. PMID:41043656.PMID 41043656 ↗Journal Toxicol LettYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41043656/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Vegetable Glycerin. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a low safety concern under normal conditions of use.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Low classification for Vegetable Glycerin
A score of 1.5 places this ingredient in the Low band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.