Hydrogen Water Protects Kidneys from High Blood Pressure Damage in Rats
Consumption of hydrogen-rich water alleviates renal injury in spontaneous hypertensive rats
Research hubs: Cardiovascular System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Hai-Guang Xin, Bei-Bei Zhang, Zhi-Qin Wu, Xiao-Feng Hang, Wen-Sheng Xu, Wu Ni, Rui-Qi Zhang, Xiao-Hui Miao
- Journal
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
- Year
- 2014
- PMID
- 24652103
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Water (Dissolved)
- Dose
- 1.3 ± 0.2 mg/l hydrogen-rich water for 3 months via drinking
- H₂ concentration
- 1.3 ± 0.2 mg/l
- Duration
- 3 months
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water helped reduce kidney damage in rats with high blood pressure, without affecting their blood pressure levels.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich water significantly reduced kidney injury in hypertensive rats by lowering oxidative stress and inflammation, even though it did not lower blood pressure.
Summary
This study tested whether drinking hydrogen-rich water could protect the kidneys of rats with high blood pressure. Researchers found that while the water didn't lower blood pressure, it did reduce kidney damage by decreasing harmful molecules called free radicals (unstable atoms that damage cells), boosting the body's natural antioxidant defenses, and reducing inflammation in the kidneys.
Practical Takeaway
This animal study suggests hydrogen-rich water may help protect kidneys from high blood pressure damage through antioxidant mechanisms, but these results are from rats only and would need human testing to determine if they apply to people. The study does not establish hydrogen water as a treatment or replacement for blood pressure medications.
Abstract (excerpt)
In hypertensive animals and patients, oxidative stress represents the primary risk factor for progression of renal disease. Recently, it has been demonstrated that hydrogen, as a novel antioxidant, can selectively reduce hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite anion to exert therapeutic antioxidant…