Hydrogen Water Affects Heart Rate in Healthy Women
Acute hydrogen-rich water ingestion stimulates cardiac autonomic activity in healthy females
Research hubs: Cardiovascular System · Brain & Nervous System
- Evidence type
- Randomized controlled trial · Human study
- Authors
- Michal Botek, Barbora Sládečková, Jakub Krejčí, František Pluháček, Eliška Najmanová
- Journal
- Acta Gymnica
- Year
- 2021
- Study Type
- Human
- Participants
- 14
- Delivery
- Water, Commercial (Aquastamina)
- Dose
- 1260 ml hydrogen-rich water acute ingestion
- Duration
- 1 day or less
- Outcome
- Neutral
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 13 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Czech Republic
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water (HRW) appears to increase the activity of the body's "fight or flight" response without affecting the "rest and digest" response during rest.
Key Finding
Drinking hydrogen-rich water increased sympathetic nervous system activity between 25 and 35 minutes after ingestion in healthy women, as measured by changes in heart rate variability patterns.
Summary
This study tested whether hydrogen-rich water affects heart rate regulation in 14 healthy young women. Participants drank either hydrogen-rich water or a placebo while researchers measured their heart rate variability (the natural variation in time between heartbeats, which reflects nervous system balance). The hydrogen-rich water appeared to increase sympathetic nervous system activity (the "fight or flight" response) for about 10 minutes starting around 25 minutes after drinking, but did not affect parasympathetic activity (the "rest and digest" response).
Practical Takeaway
This small study in young women suggests hydrogen-rich water may have measurable effects on heart rate regulation, but the practical significance of these changes is unclear. The study lasted only 50 minutes and involved only 14 participants, so more research is needed to determine whether these short-term changes have any real health benefit or relevance for regular consumption.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background: Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has been shown to have a stimulating effect on the human body. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of acute HRW intake on autonomic cardiac regulation during 50 min of rest sitting. Methods: Fourteen healthy females (age 21.7 ± 1.2…