Hydrogen water has surged in popularity in recent years, touted for its potential to enhance health and well-being. Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has been the subject of several clinical studies which have highlighted its health benefits.But what exactly is hydrogen water, and what makes it different from the water we typically drink? This isn’t just any H2O; it’s water into which molecular hydrogen gas has been dissolved, offering unique antioxidant properties and health benefits that ordinary water does not.
This article dives into the heart of scientific research to unearth the truth about hydrogen water’s health claims. We’ll explore the results of a few of the over thousand clinical studies that have investigated the effects of hydrogen-rich water on oxidative stress, inflammation, metabolic health, and more. From the potential to improve exercise performance and recovery to its role in supporting overall wellness, we’re on a mission to understand how hydrogen water might just be the next big thing in the health and wellness industry. Join us as we sift through the evidence, giving you a clearer picture of how hydrogen water could be a valuable addition to your daily routine.
Hydrogen-rich water reduces inflammatory responses and prevents apoptosis of peripheral blood cells in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial: This study found that drinking hydrogen-rich water (HW) can increase antioxidant capacity and reduce inflammatory responses in healthy adults. Specifically, it was observed that in individuals aged 30 and above, HW increased the body’s biological antioxidant potential more than plain water. Moreover, HW consumption led to a significant reduction in the apoptosis (cell death) of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and a decrease in the frequency of certain inflammatory cells. These results suggest that HW might be beneficial for enhancing antioxidant capacity and reducing inflammation(1).
Pilot study: Effects of drinking hydrogen-rich water on muscle fatigue caused by acute exercise in elite athletes: This study found that drinking HRW reduced blood lactate levels and prevented the typical exercise-induced decline in muscle function. Specifically, athletes who drank HRW experienced less muscle fatigue during high-intensity exercise compared to those who drank placebo water. These findings suggest that HRW might be beneficial for athletes by improving their exercise performance and reducing muscle fatigue (2).
Hydrogen Rich Water Improved Ventilatory, Perceptual and Lactate Responses to Exercise: This study focused on the effects of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) on exercise performance. In this study, 12 healthy male participants drank 600 ml of HRW before engaging in an incremental exercise protocol. The results showed:
- A significant reduction in blood lactate levels at higher exercise intensities after consuming HRW compared to a placebo.
- Lower ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) with HRW.
- Improved ventilatory efficiency when using HRW.
These findings suggest that acute pre-exercise supplementation with HRW can enhance exercise performance by reducing lactate accumulation, improving perceived effort, and enhancing ventilatory response (3).
Effectiveness of Oral and Topical Hydrogen for Sports-Related Soft Tissue Injuries: This study explored the use of hydrogen therapy in the management of sports-related soft tissue injuries. Key findings of the study include:
- Plasma Viscosity: Both experimental groups (oral and topical hydrogen) showed a greater reduction in plasma viscosity compared to the control group.
- Range of Motion Recovery: Athletes in the hydrogen treatment groups experienced a faster return to normal joint range of motion for both flexion and extension of the injured limb, as compared to the control group.
The results suggest that adding hydrogen therapy to traditional treatment protocols could be effective in treating soft tissue injuries in male professional athletes. The study provides preliminary support for the hypothesis that hydrogen therapy can enhance recovery from sports-related soft tissue injuries (4).
The effects of 6-month hydrogen-rich water intake on molecular and phenotypic biomarkers of aging in older adults aged 70 years and over: A randomized controlled pilot trial: This study investigated the effects of a 6-month intake of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) on various aging-related biomarkers in older adults aged 70 years and over. The key findings from this randomized controlled pilot trial include:
- Telomere Length: There was a significant increase in telomere length in participants who consumed HRW, in contrast to a decrease in those who drank control water.
- DNA Methylation: The expression of Tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2), a marker of DNA methylation, increased in both groups over 6 months, but the increase was significantly higher in the HRW group.
- Brain Metabolism: HRW was found to be more effective than control water in increasing brain choline and NAA levels in certain areas of the brain.
- Physical Function: The study observed a significant improvement in chair stand performance after HRW intervention compared to control water.
- Safety and Tolerability: The intake of HRW for six months was harmless and favorably affected several aging-related features.
Overall, the study suggests that HRW can be a potential anti-aging agent, impacting telomere length, DNA methylation, brain metabolism, and physical function in the elderly. The study provides preliminary evidence that HRW might help tackle several hallmarks of aging (5).
Molecular hydrogen affects body composition, metabolic profiles, and mitochondrial function in middle-aged overweight women: This study investigated the effectiveness and safety of molecular hydrogen (H2) in improving obesity-related biomarkers in middle-aged overweight women. Key findings from this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot trial are:
- Body Composition: The H2 treatment significantly reduced body fat percentage and arm fat index compared to the placebo.
- Serum Triglycerides: A notable drop in serum triglycerides was observed after H2 intervention compared to the placebo, while other blood lipids remained stable throughout the study.
- Fasting Serum Insulin: Fasting serum insulin levels decreased by 5.4% following H2 administration, whereas the placebo intervention led to an increased insulin response by 29.3%.
The study concludes that oral administration of H2 as hydrogen-generating minerals may be beneficial in managing body composition and insulin resistance in obesity. This suggests potential use of H2 as a therapeutic agent in obesity-related conditions (6).
Effectiveness of Hydrogen Rich Water on Antioxidant Status of Subjects with Potential Metabolic Syndrome—An Open Label Pilot Study: This study investigated the impact of hydrogen-rich water on individuals with potential metabolic syndrome. Key findings from the 8-week study on 20 subjects include:
- Antioxidant Enzyme Increase: A significant 39% increase in the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) was observed.
- Reduction in Oxidative Stress: There was a 43% decrease in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in urine, indicating a reduction in oxidative stress.
- Cholesterol Levels: Participants experienced an 8% increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (good cholesterol) and a 13% decrease in total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio.
The study concluded that hydrogen-rich water might be a novel therapeutic and preventive approach for metabolic syndrome, with the use of a portable magnesium stick being a safe and effective method for its daily consumption(6).
These are just a few of the many studies done on Hydrogen-Rich Water (HRW). They show that HRW is increasingly recognized for its health benefits, as evidenced by various clinical studies. These studies reveal that HRW can enhance antioxidant capacity, reduce inflammation, and improve exercise performance and recovery. Specifically, HRW has shown to increase antioxidant enzymes, decrease oxidative stress markers, and improve cholesterol levels in subjects with potential metabolic syndrome. Additionally, it aids in reducing body fat and improving insulin resistance in overweight women. These benefits extend to improving biomarkers of aging, such as telomere length and DNA methylation, and enhancing brain metabolism and physical function in older adults. Collectively, these findings suggest that HRW could be a valuable addition to health and wellness regimens, offering a range of therapeutic and preventive health benefits.
Chanson Water Ionizers create Hydrogen Rich Water (HRW) on demand through an innovative process that enhances the health benefits of regular drinking water. Chanson machines are designed to infuse additional hydrogen into the water, generating hydrogen gas (H2) and as a consequence increasing the hydrogen concentration in the water. It does this in addition to increasing the antioxidant capacity of the water as well as increasing the pH. For more information or to get started with your own Hydrogen water contact us at 1-888-471-3633, view our products online, or email support@chansonglobal.com.
References
Sim, M., Kim, C. S., Shon, W. J., Lee, Y. K., Choi, E. Y., & Shin, D. M. (2020). Hydrogen-rich water reduces inflammatory responses and prevents apoptosis of peripheral blood cells in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Scientific reports, 10(1), 12130. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-68930-2
Aoki, K., Nakao, A., Adachi, T., Matsui, Y., & Miyakawa, S. (2012). Pilot study: Effects of drinking hydrogen-rich water on muscle fatigue caused by acute exercise in elite athletes. Medical Gas Research, 2(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/2045-9912-2-12
Botek, M., Krejčí, J., McKune, A. J., Sládečková, B., & Naumovski, N. (2019). Hydrogen Rich Water Improved Ventilatory, Perceptual and Lactate Responses to Exercise. International journal of sports medicine, 40(14), 879–885. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-0991-0268
Ostojic, S. M., Vukomanovic, B., Calleja-Gonzalez, J., & Hoffman, J. R. (2014). Effectiveness of oral and topical hydrogen for sports-related soft tissue injuries. Postgraduate medicine, 126(5), 187–195. https://doi.org/10.3810/pgm.2014.09.2813
Zanini, D., Todorovic, N., Korovljev, D., Stajer, V., Ostojic, J., Purac, J., Kojic, D., Vukasinovic, E., Djordjievski, S., Sopic, M., Guzonjic, A., Ninic, A., Erceg, S., & Ostojic, S. M. (2021). The effects of 6-month hydrogen-rich water intake on molecular and phenotypic biomarkers of aging in older adults aged 70 years and over: A randomized controlled pilot trial. Experimental gerontology, 155, 111574. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2021.111574
Korovljev, D., Trivic, T., Drid, P., & Ostojic, S. M. (2018). Molecular hydrogen affects body composition, metabolic profiles, and mitochondrial function in middle-aged overweight women. Irish journal of medical science, 187(1), 85–89. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-017-1638-4
Nakao, A., Toyoda, Y., Sharma, P., Evans, M., & Guthrie, N. (2010). Effectiveness of hydrogen rich water on antioxidant status of subjects with potential metabolic syndrome-an open label pilot study. Journal of clinical biochemistry and nutrition, 46(2), 140–149. https://doi.org/10.3164/jcbn.09-100
