Quitting smoking is often associated with improved heart and lung health. Although these are among the most well-known benefits of quitting the habit, studies suggest that it has several other benefits that affect other parts of the body as well. So, here are some surprising health benefits of quitting smoking that can help motivate people trying to quit.

• Improves blood pressure and heart rate in just 20 minutes
  This might come as a big surprise to a lot of people, but blood pressure levels and heart rate start dropping to normal levels within 20 minutes of quitting smoking. Inhaling smoke harms the blood vessels and brings down the amount of oxygen being supplied to the heart, which leads to a faster heart rate. So, a surprising health benefit of quitting smoking is that it helps the body repair itself and brings down the blood pressure levels and heart rate to normal.
• Better sexual function
  This is one of the most surprising benefits of quitting smoking. Smoking can have visible adverse effects on men’s sexual health, and it can also affect reproductive health among women. Since it has a direct impact on the blood vessels, it can lead to Erectile Dysfunction (ED). Smoking causes the release of certain chemicals in the body that can hamper blood flow, and ED is caused due to inadequate blood flow to the penis. A published study showed how quitting smoking led to improvements in the symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
• Reduced risk of skin cancer, wrinkles, and psoriasis
  Smoking can cause premature skin aging, as it makes the skin lose its elasticity. Also, the more cigarettes one smokes, the higher the damage caused to the skin. Besides, smoking increases the chances of severe conditions like psoriasis and skin cancer. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, smoking has the potential to increase the chances of developing the disease twofold. A study showed that once a person quits the habit, the chances of developing these diseases almost vanish in 20 years.
• Improved peripheral circulation
  Peripheral circulation improves in just 2 hours of quitting smoking. The peripheral veins are responsible for providing oxygen to the legs, arms, and feet, and their functioning is affected by the chemicals released in the body due to smoking. Once the body is free of these chemicals, the oxygen supply to these body parts improves, and the hands and feet get warmer.
• More oxygen and less monoxide in the body
  Smoking causes carbon monoxide to replace the oxygen in the blood cells and prevent the heart from getting ample blood supply. However, within 12 hours of quitting smoking, the carbon monoxide levels in the body begin to drop to normal. This surprising health benefit of quitting smoking leads to higher oxygen levels and low carbon monoxide levels in the body.