Hydrogen Water Shows Promise for Fatty Liver Disease in Clinical Trial
Biological Effects of Hydrogen Water on Subjects with NAFLD: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Research hubs: Metabolic Syndrome · Cardiovascular System · Digestive System
- Authors
- Branislav Kura, Maria Szantova, Tyler W LeBaron, Viliam Mojto, Miroslav Barancik, Barbara Szeiffova Bacova, Barbora Kalocayova, Matus Sykora, Ludmila Okruhlicova, Narcisa Tribulova, Anna Gvozdjakova, Zuzana Sumbalova, Jarmila Kucharska, Xenia Faktorova, Martina Jakabovicova, Zuzana Durkovicová, Jan Macutek, Michaela Koscová, Jan Slezak
- Journal
- Antioxidants
- Year
- 2022
- DOI
- 10.3390/antiox11101935
- Study Type
- Human
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Slovakia
- Health Condition
- Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
- Body System
- Hepatic
TL;DR
Eight weeks of hydrogen-rich water produced mostly favorable but largely nonsignificant changes in body composition, lipids, and inflammatory markers in patients with NAFLD.
Key Finding
After eight weeks, hydrogen-rich water produced modest favorable trends in weight, lipid profiles, and inflammatory markers in NAFLD patients, but none of the results reached statistical significance.
Summary
This study tested whether drinking hydrogen-rich water (water infused with molecular hydrogen gas) could help people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition where excess fat builds up in the liver. Thirty adults with NAFLD drank either hydrogen-rich water or plain water daily for eight weeks in a rigorously controlled trial where neither participants nor researchers knew who got which. The hydrogen water group showed small improvements in weight, cholesterol levels, and inflammation markers, but none of these changes were large enough to be considered statistically significant — meaning they could have occurred by chance.
Practical Takeaway
This small human trial suggests hydrogen water may support liver health in people with NAFLD, but the improvements did not reach the threshold needed to draw firm conclusions. The authors believe a longer study period may be needed to see meaningful results. People with NAFLD should not replace medical treatment with hydrogen water based on this evidence alone.
Abstract (excerpt)
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a liver pathology affecting around 25% of the population worldwide. Excess oxidative stress, inflammation and aberrant cellular signaling can lead to this hepatic dysfunction and eventual carcinoma. Molecular hydrogen has been recognized…