Hydrogen Water: Extra Healthy or a Hoax?

Hydrogen water is becoming really popular these days. Everyone is talking about it, whether it’s on Instagram, YouTube, or health blogs. Even many celebrities have started drinking hydrogen water instead of regular water, claiming it helps with energy, skin, and overall health.

But here’s the big question: Is hydrogen water really that good for your health, or is it just another trendy product with no real benefits?

In this blog, you will learn about hydrogen water, what it does, and whether it’s worth trying or not.

What Exactly is Hydrogen Water?

Hydrogen water is simply regular water that contains molecular hydrogen, i.e., H2. It is a tasteless, colorless, and non-toxic gas that binds to other elements like oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon to form various compounds, including table sugar and water. It is also known as hydrogen-rich water or hydrogenated water.

However, the question that comes to everyone’s mind is how hydrogen water is different from regular water. Well, regular water already has hydrogen with molecular formula, i.e., H2O, but hydrogen water contains extra hydrogen, which is more accessible to your cells and acts as an antioxidant. Hydrogen water has also gained attention and has potential health benefits. Let’s discuss!!

What Science Says About the Health Benefits of Hydrogen Water?

1. Improves athletic performance:

You may have heard that many players are using hydrogen water, but have you realized why? When you exercise, your muscles become fatigued due to an increase in reactive oxygen species, which simply means unstable molecules that may harm your cells. However, the exceptional antioxidant properties of hydrogen water help improve muscle recovery and athletic performance, which can also help counter these reactive oxygen species.

Scientific studies:

• A clinical trial conducted in 2021 revealed that drinking hydrogen water before exercise can mitigate the effects of fatigue and build endurance.
• A randomized clinical trial published in 2022 showed that professional soccer players who drank hydrogen-rich water before performing repeated sprints experienced less fatigue and maintained better performance compared to when they drank regular water. Hydrogen water also reduces muscle stress, allowing their bodies to handle intense physical activity more efficiently.

2. Helps in improving cardiovascular health:

Did you know hydrogen water is also gaining attention for heart health? When your body is under stress, whether from poor diet, lack of exercise, or aging, excess oxidative stress is produced, which can damage blood vessels and strain your heart. Hydrogen water, known for its potent antioxidant properties, may help protect the cardiovascular system by neutralizing harmful free radicals, improving blood flow, and supporting overall heart function.

Scientific studies:

• Researchers carried out a four-week randomized controlled trial and showed that hydrogen water may help support heart and blood vessel health. It also reduces oxidative stress and improves the function of the inner lining of the blood vessels.
• A pre-clinical animal study revealed that hydrogen water improves blood flow and heart muscles. It also reduces harmful oxidative stress in the heart and supports the growth of beneficial cells that repair blood vessels.

3. Improves cognitive health:

Mental health is an important aspect of overall health that you cannot ignore. If you are not mentally fit, it may lead to depression, anxiety, mood swings, etc. But now, you can improve your mental health naturally by replacing your regular water with hydrogen-rich water.

Scientific studies:

• A clinical trial published in Medical Gas Research showed that those who consumed hydrogen water experienced lower levels of anxiety and better mood compared to the placebo group. Additionally, their autonomic nerve function improved, indicating a better ability to manage stress in daily life.
• A randomized clinical trial investigated and found that drinking hydrogen-rich water could help reduce oxidative stress and improve cognitive function, particularly in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

4. Supports healthy blood sugar levels:

Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is essential, as diabetes is a serious chronic condition that can lead to life-threatening complications. Interestingly, emerging research suggests that hydrogen-rich water may support blood glucose regulation naturally.

Scientific studies:

• Researchers conducted a clinical trial with 30 patients who had type 2 diabetes or early signs of diabetes. They gave these participants hydrogen-rich water to drink every day for 8 weeks. The results showed that drinking Hydrogen water helped control their blood sugar levels and also improved their triglyceride (fat) levels.

As discussed above, scientific studies strongly support the health benefits of hydrogen water. It has shown promising potential in managing various health conditions and improving overall wellness. Many people, including celebrities, have added hydrogen water to their routines, recognizing it as a healthy, functional drink.

However, with the growing popularity of different types of water, alkaline water has also gained attention. This raises an important question: How is hydrogen water different from alkaline water, and which one is better? Let’s find out.

Hydrogen water vs Alkaline water

As shown in the table above, hydrogen water appears to be a better choice than alkaline water. Its pH is neutral, which makes it gentle, and it offers antioxidant benefits that support overall health. While alkaline water may help neutralize acidity, its health benefits are less supported by science compared to hydrogen water.

Final Thoughts

Hydrogen water is gaining worldwide attention, and it’s far from being a hoax—it’s considered a healthy and effective option. Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated its potential health benefits.

While there are many trendy waters in the market, hydrogen water stands out as the scientifically proven choice. This is why so many celebrities and fitness enthusiasts have started incorporating it into their routines. So, without any confusion or doubt, it’s time to add hydrogen water to your daily lifestyle for a healthier you.

Resources:

• Timon R, Olcina G, González-Custodio A, Camacho-Cardenosa M, Camacho-Cardenosa A, Martínez Guardado I. Effects of 7-day intake of hydrogen-rich water on physical performance of trained and untrained subjects. Biol Sport. Jun 2021;38(2):269-275. doi:10.5114/biolsport.2020.98625
• Mizuno, Kei, et al. “Hydrogen-rich water for improvement of mood, anxiety, and autonomic nerve function in daily life.” Medical gas research4 (2017): 247-255.
• Masuda, Haruchika, et al. “Drinking molecular hydrogen water is beneficial to cardiovascular function in diet-induced obesity mice.” Biology5 (2021): 364.