Hydrogen Water Miracle Drink or Overhyped Myth?

What is hydrogen water?
Hydrogenated water is simply pure water with extra hydrogen molecules added.

Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless, non-toxic gas that binds with other elements like oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon to form various compounds, including table sugar and water (1Trusted Source).

Water molecules are made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, but some say that infusing additional hydrogen into water produces benefits that regular water cannot offer.

It is believed that the body cannot effectively absorb the hydrogen found in regular water because it is bound to oxygen.

Some studies claim that when extra hydrogen is added, these hydrogen molecules are “free” and more accessible to your body.

The product is made by infusing hydrogen gas into pure water before packaging it in cans or sachets.

Hydrogen water machines can also be purchased by those who want to make them at home.

Hydrogenated water is marketed to decrease inflammation, improve athletic performance, and even slow down your aging process.

However, research in this area is limited, which is why many health experts are skeptical of its purported benefits.

SUMMARY
Hydrogenated water is pure water infused with additional hydrogen molecules. It can be purchased in sachets and cans or made at home using special machines.

Is it beneficial for health?
Although human studies on the benefits of hydrogenated water are limited, several small trials have shown promising results.

May provide antioxidant benefits
Free radicals are unstable molecules that contribute to oxidative stress, a major cause of disease and inflammation.

Molecular hydrogen fights free radicals in your body and protects your cells from the effects of oxidative stress.

In an eight-week study of 49 people receiving radiation therapy for liver cancer, half of the participants were required to drink 51 to 68 ounces (1,500 to 2,000 ml) of hydrogen-enriched water per day.

At the end of the trial, those who consumed hydrogen water experienced decreased levels of hydroperoxide – a marker of oxidative stress – and maintained greater antioxidant activity after radiotherapy than the control group.

However, a recent four-week study in 26 healthy people demonstrated that drinking 20 ounces (600 ml) of hydrogen-rich water per day did not decrease markers of oxidative stress, such as hydroperoxide, per day. compared to a placebo group.

Further studies are needed to confirm whether hydrogen consumption reduces the effects of oxidative stress in healthy people and those with chronic illnesses.

May benefit people with metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a condition characterized by high blood sugar, increased triglyceride levels, high cholesterol, and excess abdominal fat.

Chronic inflammation is suspected to be a contributing factor.

Some research shows that hydrogen water may be effective in reducing markers of oxidative stress and improving risk factors related to metabolic syndrome.

A 10-week study asked 20 people with signs of metabolic syndrome to drink 30 to 34 ounces (0.9 to 1 liter) of hydrogen-enriched water per day.

At the end of the trial, participants saw significant reductions in "bad" LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol, increases in "good" HDL cholesterol, greater antioxidant activity, and reduced levels of inflammatory markers, such as than TNF-α.

May benefit athletes
Many companies promote hydrogen water as a natural way to improve athletic performance.

The product may benefit athletes by reducing inflammation and slowing the buildup of lactate in the blood, a sign of muscle fatigue.

A study of ten male soccer players found that athletes who drank 1,500 ml of hydrogen-enriched water had lower blood lactate levels and reduced muscle fatigue after exercise compared to a placebo group.

Another small, two-week study of eight male cyclists demonstrated that men who consumed 68 ounces (2 liters) of hydrogen-enriched water daily had greater power output during sprint exercises than those who drank hydrogen-enriched water. ordinary water.

However, this is a relatively new area of research and additional studies are needed to fully understand how drinking hydrogen-enriched water can benefit athletes.