Hydrogen Water, Miracle Drink or Overhyped Myth?

Medically Reviewed on 7/26/2022
Hydrogen Water
Hydrogen water contains antioxidants that help fight oxidative stress.

Hydrogen water is just normal water that has additional hydrogen gas added to it through various processes. Hydrogen molecules found in hydrogen water are claimed to have a powerful antioxidant effect.

Although there is not enough research on the health benefits of hydrogen water, studies suggest that:

  • These molecules can help reduce oxygen free radicals, which are responsible for inflammation, aging, and the progression of diseases.
  • Hydrogenated water improves the function of various organs and systems by maintaining a normal internal environment.
  • It distributes nutrients and oxygen to all cells in the body. As cellular nourishment improves, the skin gets tighter and more flexible.

You can stay hydrated using hydrogen water, which is harmless. However, you are probably not getting anything particularly advantageous from drinking it.

To get the fluids you require, it is much more beneficial to simply focus on drinking enough normal water and increasing your intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole plant foods. Hydrogen water is more expensive than regular water, and there is not enough evidence to support its benefits.

8 health benefits of hydrogen water

Hydrogen water is beneficial for everyone, including the elderly, kids, athletes, nursing, and pregnant women. The health benefits of hydrogen water are particularly important for people who work in hazardous manufacturing or reside in places with bad ecosystems.

  1. Improve mood: A short study suggested that consuming hydrogen water can elevate mood, but a larger study is required to confirm this finding.
  2. Lower inflammation: A very small-scale study (2020) involving 40 participants discovered that those who drank water infused with hydrogen for four weeks experienced fewer inflammatory reactions than those who drank ordinary water.
  3. To enhance athletic performance: In another crossover investigation on hydrogen water, 10 soccer players who drank hydrogen water experienced lower levels of blood lactate and decreased muscle fatigue after exercise compared to a placebo group.
  4. Prevents diseases: Hydrogen water contains antioxidants that help fight oxidative stress.
    • This kind of stress can be caused by regular body functions and environmental factors, such as sunlight exposure, infections, and industrial toxins.
    • Oxidative stress may result in cancer and other diseases. According to preliminary research, hydrogen water may have anti-inflammatory properties, which could lower the risk of heart disease and other serious illnesses.
  5. Reduce radiation therapy side effects: One investigation involving 49 patients with liver cancer found that consuming hydrogen-rich water for six weeks during radiation therapy enhanced the quality of life. 
  6. Oral health: In 13 patients with inflamed gums, drinking hydrogen water four to five times per day, improved gum health after eight weeks. It improves the results of nonsurgical treatment and increases blood antioxidant levels. However, this study was small and limited, and its results were not replicated.
  7. Liver health: In research including 60 individuals with hepatitis B, hydrogen water added to routine treatment decreased oxidative stress compared to the group that only got regular treatment.
    • The addition of hydrogen water did not appear to enhance liver function over standard therapy alone. No other research has verified these results.
    • A study reported that hydrogen might prevent liver scarring in mice by shielding the liver cells from damage caused by free radicals. There has not been any human research.
  8. Wound healing: In a small trial with 22 elderly individuals, hydrogen water reduced the size of pressure ulcers and accelerated healing.

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Medically Reviewed on 7/26/2022
References
Image Source: iStock image

Hydrogen Water: Are There Health Benefits? https://www.webmd.com/diet/hydrogen-water-health-benefits

Hydrogen-rich water for improvements of mood, anxiety, and autonomic nerve function in daily life. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5806445/

Pilot study: Effects of drinking hydrogen-rich water on muscle fatigue caused by acute exercise in elite athletes. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3395574/

Drinking Hydrogen-Rich Water Has Additive Effects on Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment of Improving Periodontitis: A Pilot Study. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4665424/