Hydrogen Water: Benefits, Science, and Safety Explained

Hydrogen water, also called hydrogenated water or hydrogen-rich water, has become increasingly popular in health and wellness circles. 

It's water infused with hydrogen gas, potentially supporting wellness and physical performance. Some preliminary research also explores its role in healthy aging, though findings remain inconclusive.

Studies suggest potential health-promoting benefits, but research is ongoing to confirm the results. 

This guide takes a deep dive into hydrogen water, its possible health perks, and scientific understanding that helps you determine if this new wellness trend is something you should try.

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Understanding Hydrogen Water

So, what exactly is hydrogen water? It's water (H2O) containing added hydrogen gas. A standard hydrogenation method dissolves hydrogen gas into the water under high pressure. There are numerous methods of obtaining hydrogen water, including:

• Hydrogen tablets or powders dissolved in water
• Pre-hydrogenated water products
• Portable hydrogen bottles
• At-home hydrogen water generators

While hydrogen water contains more hydrogen than regular water, it often tastes similar. 

Production Methods of Hydrogen Water

Examples of production methods that can form hydrogen water include:

• Electrolysis: Water can be electrolyzed to produce hydrogen water. During this process, an electric current splits water molecules into their oxygen and hydrogen components and infuses hydrogen gas.
• Magnesium Stick Method: Adding magnesium sticks to bottled water can generate hydrogen by creating a chemical reaction. 
• Hydrogen Gas Infusion: Hydrogen gas infusion typically uses a generator to infuse regular water molecules with hydrogen gas.
• Hydrogen Tablets: You can add hydrogen tablets to regular water, where they dissolve within a few minutes and release hydrogen.  
• Commercial Hydrogen Water Machines: Commercial hydrogen water machines use advanced techniques to pump molecular hydrogen into regular drinking water.

Potential Health Benefits of Hydrogen Water

While research is ongoing to determine the potential benefits (if any) of consuming hydrogen water, previous studies suggest these possible perks:

Antioxidant Properties

Hydrogen water has antioxidant properties, which may help minimize oxidative stress and diminish free radical damage. This could impact disease prevention or even slow aging. 

Anti-inflammatory Effects

Due to its antioxidative effects, researchers observed potential anti-inflammatory properties, though findings are not yet conclusive. It may support inflammatory pain, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms, allergies, and more.

Athletic Performance and Recovery

Consuming hydrogen water may improve athletic performance and may reduce fatigue during training. 

They note that while many studies demonstrate the beneficial effects of hydrogen water on enhanced exercise performance and recovery, some studies do not show significant improvements. More research is needed.

Metabolic Health

Studies suggest that hydrogen water could play a beneficial role in enhancing metabolic health, potentially supporting healthy: 

• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
• High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
• Blood sugar
• Inflammatory responses
• Body mass index (BMI) 
• Waist-to-hip ratios
• Metabolism

Neurological Benefits

Researchers suggest that hydrogen-rich water and its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties have the potential to support neurological health, potentially reducing the risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders and improving longevity. 

Skin health

Some studies demonstrate skin health benefits linked to taking hydrogen water baths. One study found that bathing in hydrogen water for eight weeks reduced the severity of rashes and itching in people with atopic dermatitis. 

Another showed that bathing in hydrogen-rich water improved skin moisture, wrinkles, skin blotches, and the skin's overall appearance. 

Potential Applications in Specific Medical Conditions

While more studies are needed, researchers suggest that hydrogen water may have applications for specific medical conditions. 

Examples include conditions related to the heart, neurological system, physical endurance, liver function, exercise capacity, COVID-19, anti-aging, oxidative stress, mental health, the skin, inflammation, and more. 

Scientific Research and Evidence

Research is ongoing to determine the full impact of drinking hydrogen water (or taking hydrogen water baths) on physical and mental well-being. 

Some studies suggest that hydrogen water's anti-inflammatory properties offer implications for pain management, inflammatory bowel diseases, and other inflammatory conditions, as well as enhanced exercise performance, increased strength, and improvements in skin health. 

A review of 25 studies found potential advantages of hydrogen water on heart disease, neurological disorders, exercise endurance and capacity, liver function, COVID-19, mental health disorders, anti-aging, oxidative stress, skin concerns, inflammatory diseases, and more. 

These potential benefits have led to debates in scientific communities and medical industries. Why? In part, this is because some studies may have been supported by companies with an interest in hydrogen-rich water products (commercial bias), while others show mixed results. 

While hydrogen water has great potential in health enhancements, additional well-designed studies and longer-term human trials are necessary to confirm the previous findings. Clinical trials are ongoing. 

Safety and Consumption Guidelines

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration generally recognizes hydrogen water as safe (GRAS), which means it's approved for human use without any known harmful effects.

There is no established recommended daily intake for hydrogen water, but studies typically involve subjects consuming 20-70 ounces daily. 

Research suggests that hydrogen water must possess a high concentration of hydrogen to achieve any potential health perks. However, it's challenging to measure hydrogen concentrations in consumer products. 

No known harmful effects are linked to drinking hydrogen water, but commercial products should be third-party tested for purity and free from contaminants.

Hydrogen Water Products and Technology

Hydrogen water products and technologies are all the buzz.

Hydrogen Water Bottles

Portable hydrogen water bottles are rechargeable or battery-operated bottles that quickly hydrogenate smaller amounts. Drink the water soon after hydrogenation, as hydrogen gas could begin to escape from the bottle after you open it.

Home Hydrogen Water Generators

You can also utilize hydrogen water generators for at-home use. These generators often create higher concentrations of hydrogen in your drinking water, separating it into oxygen and hydrogen and infusing hydrogen gas. 

Pre-packaged Hydrogen Water

Pre-hydrogenated water products infused with hydrogen may be the most convenient way to reap the potential benefits of hydrogen water. Still, they may also be more expensive in the long term. 

Furthermore, the quality of these products varies based on the manufacturer, so choose carefully by looking for products that have been third-party tested for purity. 

Hydrogen Tablets and Powders

Hydrogen tablets that dissolve in water (this takes a few minutes) often contain magnesium and make it easy and fast to hydrogenate regular drinking water. Look for tablets that have been third-party tested for quality. 

Incorporating Hydrogen Water into Your Lifestyle

If you'd like to take advantage of the potential perks of this new trend, it's simple to incorporate hydrogen water into your lifestyle. Simply ensure you drink the recommended amounts of total fluids daily (about 12 cups for women and 16 cups daily for men), and gradually increase your intake of hydrogen water. 

Choose a form of hydrogen water that matches your lifestyle and budget. Combine this wellness practice with other healthy habits, including eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, minimizing stress, and getting plenty of sleep.

While there are no official guidelines for when and how often to consume hydrogen water, some studies recommend drinking it before exercise to reduce fatigue and build endurance. 

Others suggest drinking hydrogen water immediately after hydrogenation to maintain optimal H2 concentrations. 

Some studies have explored whether regular intake over at least four weeks might support mood and mental well-being. However, further clinical research is needed.

Environmental and Sustainability Aspects

Environmental and sustainability concerns may exist when adding hydrogen water to your lifestyle. 

For example, while hydrogen water can be created sustainably, pre-packaged hydrogen water cans and bottles produce waste, similar to non-hydrogenated single-use water bottles that could contain harmful microplastics.

Future Prospects and Innovations

Prospects and innovations involving hydrogen water include emerging human research trials with larger sample sizes and longer studies, and medicinal applications of hydrogen water in supporting illnesses and chronic diseases. 

Technological advances to look for include enhanced production and delivery methods.

Criticisms and Controversies

Skepticism in the scientific community arises because of questions about whether hydrogen water is better than regular water and whether the available research results are valid. 

One review suggests that factors affecting the therapeutic effects of hydrogen water, such as hydrogenation methods, sample size, and hydrogen concentrations, lead to varying results. 

Many studies were conducted on animals, used small sample sizes, or focused on short-term benefits without considering long-term implications. 

Other studies didn't have placebo groups or may have been supported by organizations with interests in consumer hydrogen water products. Well-designed human trials are needed to confirm long-term physical and mental health effects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Consider the following frequently asked questions about hydrogen water's potential health benefits and safety.

Is hydrogen water safe to drink daily?

Because there are no known harms of drinking hydrogen water, it appears safe for daily consumption. 

How long does hydrogen water maintain its properties?

It depends. More research is needed, but it's probably best to drink hydrogen water soon after opening the bottle or after hydrogenating your own water. 

Can I make hydrogen water at home?

Yes. You can make hydrogen water yourself using a home hydrogen water generator, a hydrogen water bottle, or hydrogen tablets or powders. 

Is hydrogen water better than alkaline water?

Maybe. Hydrogen water is infused with hydrogen gas, while alkaline water contains added minerals that increase its pH level. 

Some studies support the potential benefits of hydrogen water; more research is needed to determine if alkaline water is better than regular drinking water for health enhancements.

Are there any groups who should avoid hydrogen water?

Research is ongoing to establish if there are any adverse side effects linked to drinking hydrogen water long-term or in large amounts, and who may need to avoid it. Previous studies have shown no harmful consequences of drinking hydrogen water. 

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Key Takeaways

• Research continues to determine the full extent of health and wellness benefits associated with hydrogen water (water infused with hydrogen gas). 
• The potential health perks of hydrogen water include supporting neurological, mental, metabolic, heart, skin, and liver health, as well as exercise performance, anti-aging, and oxidative stress.
• However, more research studies are needed, particularly longer-term human trials, to confirm hydrogen water's health benefits and safety profile. It's vital to balance promise with scientific caution. 
• Stay informed about ongoing research studying the effects of hydrogen water, read our related articles, and share your questions or experiences in the comments section below!