Hydrogen Water Lowers Blood Sugar and Cholesterol in Diabetic Rats
Anti-diabetic effect of alkaline-reduced water on OLETF rats
Research hubs: Type 2 Diabetes · Metabolic Syndrome · Endocrine System · Cardiovascular System
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Dan JIN, Sung Hoon RYU, Hyun Won KIM, Eun Ju YANG, Soo Jung LIM, Yong Suk RYANG, Choon Hee CHUNG, Seung Kyu PARK, Kyu Jae LEE
- Journal
- Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry
- Year
- 2006
- DOI
- 10.1271/bbb.70.31
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- South Korea
- Health Condition
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Body System
- Endocrine
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
TL;DR
Drinking alkaline-reduced water (ARW) helped lower blood sugar and fat levels in diabetic rats.
Key Finding
Rats drinking alkaline-reduced water had significantly lower blood glucose levels after 12 weeks and sustained reductions in triglycerides and total cholesterol compared to rats drinking regular tap water.
Summary
Researchers gave one group of rats prone to developing diabetes a special alkaline-reduced water (water treated to be less acidic and containing hydrogen) while another group drank regular tap water. Over 26 weeks, the rats drinking alkaline-reduced water had lower blood sugar levels starting at 12 weeks, and also had lower cholesterol and triglyceride (fat) levels throughout the study compared to the control group.
Practical Takeaway
This animal study suggests alkaline-reduced water may help reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels, but it was conducted only in rats genetically prone to diabetes—not in humans. Much more research in people would be needed before drawing any conclusions about whether this water could help with diabetes or metabolic health in humans.
Abstract (excerpt)
Alkalin-reduced water (ARW) is known to exert several anti-cancer effects, as well as to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduce blood-glucose levels. This study was performed in order to determine the effects of ARW on the control of spontaneous diabetes in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima…