Hydrogen Water Protects Heart and Kidneys from Age-Related Damage
- Authors
- Wan-Jun Zhu, Masaaki Nakayama, Takefumi Mori, Kiyotaka Hao, Hiroyuki Terawaki, Junichiro Katoh, Shigeru Kabayama, Sadayoshi Ito
- Journal
- Medical Gas Research
- Year
- 2013
- DOI
- 10.1186/2045-9912-3-26
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Hypertension
- Body System
- Cardiovascular
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-enriched water reduced kidney damage and heart changes associated with aging in rats prone to high blood pressure and kidney injury.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-enriched water reduced age-related kidney and heart damage in salt-sensitive rats by decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress, even though it did not lower blood pressure.
Summary
This study gave hydrogen-enriched water to rats bred to develop high blood pressure and kidney damage as they age. Over 48 weeks, rats drinking hydrogen water showed less damage to their kidneys and hearts compared to rats drinking regular water, with lower levels of inflammation and oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules). However, the hydrogen water did not significantly lower the rats' blood pressure itself.
Practical Takeaway
This animal study suggests hydrogen water may help protect organs from damage related to aging and high blood pressure through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, this was only tested in rats with a specific genetic condition, so results may not apply to humans, and the lack of blood pressure reduction raises questions about the mechanism. Human studies would be needed to determine if these findings are relevant to people.
Abstract (excerpt)
Recent studies have revealed the biological effects of H2 in suppressing organ injuries due to acute inflammation and oxidative stress. Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats naturally develop elevated blood pressure (BP) and kidney injury with aging. The present study examined the effect of long-term…