Hydrogen Water Reduces Stress and Inflammation in Research Study
- Authors
- Di Hu, Danxi Li, Mika Shigeta, Yuta Ochi, Takashi Okauchi, Hiroyuki Neyama, Shigeru Kabayama, Yasuyoshi Watanabe, Yilong Cui
- Journal
- Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
- Year
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.12.035
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Chronic Stress
- Body System
- Endocrine
TL;DR
Drinking water enriched with molecular hydrogen and tiny platinum particles can reduce stress-related damage and inflammation in the body.
Key Finding
In stressed rats, drinking electrolyzed hydrogen water reduced stress-induced oxidative damage and inflammation markers while increasing the body's natural antioxidant defenses.
Summary
Researchers gave rats continuous stress for 5 days and measured harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory markers in their blood. Some stressed rats drank electrolyzed hydrogen water (water enriched with hydrogen gas produced through electrolysis), while others did not. The rats drinking hydrogen water showed lower levels of stress-related harmful molecules and inflammatory markers, and higher levels of natural antioxidants (molecules that protect cells) compared to stressed rats drinking regular water.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study suggesting hydrogen water may help counteract stress-related cellular damage, but results from rats do not directly translate to humans. Human studies would be needed to determine whether these effects occur in people and at what doses. The study's lack of reported sample size and duration details also limits confidence in the findings.
Abstract (excerpt)
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive and directly attack surrounding biomolecules to deteriorate cellular and tissue functions. Meanwhile, ROS also serve as signaling mediators to upregulate pro-inflammatory cytokine expression via activation of the nuclear factor kappa B signaling…